Archives of Maryland

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ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND

CORRESPONDENCE

OF

Governor Horatio Sharpe

VOL. I.

1753-1757

Published by Authority of the State, under the Direction
OF THE Maryland Historical Society

WILLIAM HAND BROWNE
Editor

w ^ ^

BALTIMORE

Maryland Historical Society

1888

PRESS OF ISAAC FRIEDENWALD,
BALTIMORE, MD.

1302154

Rooms of the Maryland Historical Society,

Baltimore, December i, 1888.
To the Maryland Historical Society :
Gentlemen :

The Committee on the State Archives beg leave to submit the first
volume of the correspondence of His Excellency Horatio Sharpe, being
the sixth volume of the Archives, and covering the period from his
arrival in the Province in 1753 to the year 1757.

The letters of Governor Sharpe, as contained in his Letter Books, the
replies to these letters, belonging to the State, and the many important
letters from Frederick, Lord Baltimore, and his uncle and secretary,
Cs^ilius Calvert, found among the recently acquired Calvert Papers,
have been made use of for this volume.

In view of the large number of letters still missing from the collection,
it has been thought desirable to add a preliminary and partial list of
these, in the hope that they may yet be recovered to the State.

Respectfully submitted,

John W. M. Lee,
Henry Stockbridge,
Bradley T. Johnson,

Committee.

PREFACE.

In the correspondence of Governor Sharpe, the earlier portion of
which is now for the first time published, we have one of the most
precious sources of information concerning a momentous period in our
colonial history, the final struggle between England and France for the
possession of North America.

About the year 1745, the Marquis de la Galissoniere, Governor-
General of Canada, foreseeing the approach of the inevitable contest,
began to take steps toward realising the gigantic scheme of linking
together all the territories that the French possessed or claimed in
North America, by a chain of fortified posts, extending, by the way of the
St. Lawrence, the lakes, the Ohio and the Mississippi, from the Bay of
Fundy to the Gulf of Mexico. His successor, the Marquis Du Quesne
de Menneville, in pursuance of this strategy, after connecting Montreal
with the Riviere aux Boeufs (now French Creek) in Pennsylvania, by a
cordon of small forts, in 1754 made preparations for further advances on
such a scale as seriously to alarm the colonial and home governments,
which determined to take active measures in resistance.

Horatio Sharpe, who succeeded Ogle as Governor of Maryland in
1753, was a man of both military and colonial experience, having seen
service in the West Indies. His appointment was probably due in part
to family influence, as his brother John had been one of the guardians
of the young Proprietary, Frederick, sixth and last Lord Baltimore; and
partly to the obvious expediency of placing a military man at the head
of a province so near the French advance, and already threatened by
them, as they laid claim to all the lands watered by affluents of the
Ohio.

On his arrival, Sharpe proceeded to place himself in communication
with the governors of the other colonies, and soon became a sort of
centre for all the military operations in the south. Actual hostilities
began in April 1754 by the capture of a small English fort at the
junction of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, by Contrecoeur, the
French commander at Riviere aux Boeufs, who at once proceeded to
convert it into a formidable fortification, which he called Fort Du
Quesne. Col. Joshua Fry had been sent by Gov. Dinwiddle of Virginia
to garrison the English post, with about 300 militia and Col. George
Washington as his second in command ; but before he reached the spot,
the fort had been surrendered. When Washington, who was on the
march, learned this news, he advanced cautiously, making a road as he
went ; and while thus employed he fell in with a party of French

6 Preface.

commanded by Coulon de Jumonville, and a skirmish ensued in which
De Jumonville was killed, and the rest of his party either slain or made
prisoners. Shordy after, Col. Fry was killed by a fall from his horse,
and Washington succeeded to the chief command.

When the news of De Jumonville's disaster reached the French at
Fort Du Ouesne, his brother, Commandant De Villiers, was sent by
Contrecoeur with a force of 600 men to attack the English, who fell back
to a place called the Great Meadows, on a branch of the Youghiogeny,
and there threw up hasty defences. These, however, they were unable
to hold; and on the 3d of July Washington and his force surrendered.
The French had maintained that De Jumonville had been sent to parley
with the English, and that the death of that officer was an "assassina-
tion"; and this word Villiers inserted in the articles of capitulation,
which Washington signed, thereby subjecting himself to severe censure.
He pleaded that, as he did not understand French well. Captain Van
Braam of his command had translated the articles to him by word of
mouth, and had softened the ugly word "assassination" to "death."*

This mishap caused great alarm, especially in the southern Provinces,
and the governors set about raising men and supplies. The home
government also bestirred itself. Sharpe had already been raised to
the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and commissioned to take command of
the operations against the French ; and in October two regiments of
foot commanded by Sir Peter Halkett and Col. Dunbar were ordered
out to Virginia. Dinwiddle began the construction of a stockade fort
on Wills' Creek, which he named Fort Cumberland, in honor of the
victor of CuUoden; and Sharpe exerted himself to raise and equip
forces for effecdve operations in the spring. But the English govern-
ment resolved to send out a general officer to take the command in the
field; as it was rightly Judged that Sharpe and the other governors
would have their hands full in enlisting men, procuring supplies and
means of transportation, and extorting funds from their respective
legislatures. The officer selected was Edward Braddock, whose arrival,
movements, and disastrous end, will be found chronicled in the following
pages.

The difficulties with which Sharpe had to contend were many and
great. As a commissioned officer under the crown, he had to strain
every nerve to procure the requisite men and supplies; as the repre-
sentative of the Proprietary, he was bound to guard against any
encroachment of his rights; as the governor of the Province, it was his
duty to shield the inhabitants from wrong and injustice. It is evident
that he endeavored to execute his duty, amid these conflicting claims,
with justice, prudence, and moderation.

The war and its concomitants were not the only difficulties with which
Sharpe had to contend. The Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, not satisfied
with having robbed Maryland of all the territory between the present

* A copy of the articles of capitulation was found in the Calvert Papers, and is printed on p. 78.

Preface. 7

boundary and the 40''' parallel, her charter-boundary, and of the territory
which is now the State of Delaware ; nor of extending, by means of a
forged map on which Cape Henlopen was misplaced, their territory
twenty-three miles further south than their agreement gave them, were
trying to cut another cantle out of Maryland by taking advantage of the
obscure terms in which the eastern boundary was made a tangent to a
circle twelve miles from New Castle.

There was also a difficulty about the western boundary of the Prov-
ince. The charter made this a due north-and-south line between the
40"" parallel and the furthest source of the Potomac, and thence following
the further, or western, bank of that river to the Chesapeake Bay.
But for many years it was undetermined whether the north or the south
branch of the Potomac was the longer, and therefore which was the true
boundary of the Province.

In 1 65 1 Charles II granted to the Earl of St. Albans, Lord Hopton
and others, the land in Virginia lying between the Rappahannock and
Potomac Rivers. This land, by marriage and descent, came into the
possession of Thomas, 5th Baron Fairfax, who, assuming the northern
branch to be his boundary, in 1733 empowered commissioners to settle
his lines with parties representing the crown. Maryland had no voice
in the matter. His son, Thomas, 6th Baron, came to America in 1745,
and shortly after his arrival began granting lands to settlers.

But as setdements came to be pushed further to the west, and the
topography of the mountain regions better understood, it was discovered
that the south branch took its rise further from the mouth, and, conse-
quently, that it, and not the north branch, was the boundary of Maryland.

Sharpe had been especially charged by the Proprietary to determine
the boundaries of his Province ; and almost immediately upon his arrival,
he sent for Capt. Thomas Cresap, who lived near the lands in dispute,
to learn his opinion of the matter. Cresap affirming that the south
branch ran from 60 to 80 miles further west than the north, Sharpe
wrote to Fairfax (p. 6) asking his concurrence in fixing the true boun-
dary. Fairfax replied that it would be to his advantage if the south
branch were decided to be the boundary (because it would carry his
western line so much further to the west), but declined to move personally
in the matter. Sharpe had the two branches surveyed and mapped by
Cresap (p. 72); but the outbreak of hostilities with the French and
Indians prevented any further action at this time.*

But Sharpe's chief troubles sprang from the attitude of the House of
Burgesses. There had been a spirit of opposition to the Proprietary
rule almost from the foundation of the colony ; and in Governor Ogle's
time it seems to have assumed serious proportions and given rise to a

* The report of the Virginia Boundary Commissioners (Richmond, 1S72) is full of historical
errors. For example, they say (p. 83) that [Cecilius].Lord Baltimore fled into Virginia in 1644 ;
and (p. 88) that Lord Baltimore and Fairfax "fixed the boundary by the Fairfax Stone."
It is notorious that Cecilius was never in Maryland, nor any Lord Baltimore after 1733. But we
cannot be surprised at these and similar errors from writers who ttate (p. 89) that the Common-
wealth Commissioners " restored it [Maryland] to the colony of Virginia."

8 Preface.

political party. In particular, they attacked the tonnage and tobacco
dues as illegal. The first of these was a port-duty of fourteen pence
per ton on vessels trading to the port and owned by non-residents,
which formed part of the revenues of the Proprietary ; and the other, a
duty of one shilling a hogshead on all tobacco exported, most of which
was paid to the Governor as his salary. There were also disputes about
licenses to public ordinaries, hawkers, and other minor matters.

When the necessities of the war forced Sharpe to apply to the bur-
gesses for supplies, the opposition became stubborn. While they would
not put themselves in the position of absolutely refusing, they saddled
their grants with conditions which Sharpe was compelled to reject.
Among others, they insisted that the Proprietary's manors and reserved
lands, though unoccupied, should bear a portion of the tax; and here
Sharpe, not without misgivings, had to yield somewhat, for it was soon
seen that the want of defence stopped the sale of the western lands,
thus losing Baltimore much more money than his share of the tax
amounted to.

The French and Indian war gave occasion for a violent outbreak of
hostility to the Roman Catholics. Many, in their blind bigotry, looked
upon every member of that faith as a possible spy and traitor, and pro-
fessed to stand in dread of them, though they were only one twelfth of
the population. This fanatical spirit Sharpe endeavored to restrain, with
a fairness that does him credit, though he could see no injustice in the
double tax laid upon those of the Roman faith. This contest continued
throughout nearly the whole of Sharpe's administration, sometimes with
considerable bitterness. In addition to these causes of irritation, the
evident indifference of the Proprietary to any interests but his own and
those of a few personal favorites, completely estranged the affections of
the people, and prepared them for the separation which was soon to
follow. Among the various schemes for raising money in the colonies
without the consent of their Legislatures, over which Sharpe, in his strait,
was constantly brooding, was that of a stamp tax, which was afterwards
adopted, with unforeseen results.

After the defeat on the Monongahela, Dunbar, who succeeded Brad-
dock in command, instead of making a stand at Ft. Cumberland or
some other defensible place, retreated with his whole force, and did not
stop until he reached Philadelphia, where he went into quarters. The
whole western frontier was now open, for the garrison at Ft. Cumber-
land was small and isolated, and there was every reason to fear that all
Pennsylvania west of the Susquehanna, and all Virginia and Maryland
west of the Shenandoah and Potomac, would be abandoned by the
inhabitants. Sharpe hastened to the frontier, and by establishing small
posts with a system of ranging parties, somewhat quieted the alarm.
The next year the Assembly granted supplies for the war; and part of
these funds he applied to building Fort Frederick, on the North Moun-
tain, near the Potomac, about 4 miles E. of Licking Creek. The Indians
had learned from the French how to approach and burn the stockade
forts, so Sharpe faced the bastions and curtains with stone. This fort
was of inestimable service in protecting the western frontier.

Preface. 9

Fortunately for Maryland and the adjoining provinces, the French,
seeing that the brunt of war was going to be to the north and on the
lakes, withdrew all their forces from Fort Du Ouesne except a small
garrison; so, though some barbarities were perpetrated by small scalp-
ing parties of Indians, no serious attack was made. The fall of Fort Du
Ouesne does not come within the scope of the present volume.

The materials for this volume have been obtained from Sharpe's MS.
letter-books; a mass of correspondence with him preserved in the
collections of the Maryland Historical Society; the Calvert Papers
(among which the capitulation of Washington was found) and the Jour-
nals of the Assembly, in whose pages some letters are recorded that were
not found elsewhere. Letters not in the Society's collections or the
archives of the State, have not been printed. A number of letters from
Sharpe to Dinwiddle, which are not in the letter-books, have been pub-
lished in the Dinwiddle Papers (Richmond, 1883-84). Their dates are :

1754. Mch. 3, June 20, July 24, 31, Nov. 12, 13, 15.

1755. Jan. 7, II, Feb. 4, Mch. i, 10, 29, June 3, 10, 18, July 5, 29,
Aug. 25, Sept. 20, Oct. 3, Nov. 22.

1756. Jan. 2, Mch. 8, 13, April 28, May 24, June 21, Sept. 2, 8,
Nov. 12.

1757. April 5, May 18, June i, 14, July 30, Aug. 3, 18, 26.

The following letters from Morris to Sharpe are printed in the
Colonial Records of Pennsylvania:

1755. Jan. 12, May 30, July 3, Oct. 7.

1756. Jan. 5.

The following letters, referred to in the correspondence, are missing
from our collections :

Letters from Sharpe :

1753. Aug. I, 6, to Calvert; 15, Dinwiddle; 16, Hamilton; 22, 23,
Calvert; Dec. 26, Dinwiddle.

1754. Jan. II, Calvert; Feb. 10, Mch. 11, April 25, Aug. 20, Din-
widdle.

1755. Feb. 17, St. Clair; July 23, W. and J. Sharpe.

Letters to Sharpe :

1753- Aug. 29, from Calvert.

1754. Jan., Bury; July 5, Robinson; 6, Baltimore; 6, W. and J.
Sharpe; 1 1 , Albemarle ; Sep. 18, Robinson ; Nov., Halifax ; 30, Fitch ;
Dec. 12, Calvert; 31, Robinson.

1755. Jan. 7, Morris; 23, Robinson; Feb. 15, Calvert; 25, Brad-
dock; April 7, 16, Calvert; 24, Washington; May 29, June 2, Morris;
2, Dinwiddle; i 7, 22, Braddock; 19, Robinson; 22, Orme; 22, Innes;
July 3, Morris; 5, 31, Dinwiddle; Aug. 13, Shirley; 13, Innes; 20,
Morris; 25, Didwiddie; Sep. 5, Hardy; 25, Shirley; Oct. 3, Dinwiddle.

Preface.

Brief Biographical Notes of some of the Parties to the
Correspondence.

Abercromby, James (i 706-1 781), Major-General. Commanded the
British forces in America after the recall of Loudoun.

Albemarle, William, Earl of (1702-1754), was British Ambassador at
the Court of Versailles.

Amherst, Jeffrey (17 17-1797). He was sent out to America with the
rank of Major-General, after the recall of Loudoun in 1758, and was
successful in the operations in Canada and on the lakes. In 1763 he
was made Governor of Virginia, and was raised to the peerage in
1776.

Anson, George (1697-1762), the celebrated navigator. Created Baron
Anson, 1747. First lord of the Admiralty 1751-56, and 1757.

Belcher, Jonathan (i 681-1757). Governor of Massachusetts, 1 730-1 741 ;
of New Jersey, 1 747-1 757.

Blair, John (1689-1 771). President of the Virginia Council, and acting
Governor of Virginia in 1757-58.

Boscawen, Edward (1711-1761). Rear-Admiral ,1755; Vice-Admiral, 1756.
In conjunction with Amherst, who commanded the land forces, he
reduced Louisbourg and Cape Breton in 1758.

Bouquet, Henry (17 19-1766). Lieut.-Col. in the British army in 1756.
Brig.-General 1765. He co-operated with Forbes in the reduction of
Fort Du Ouesne.

Braddock, Edward (1695-1755). After more than forty years of
uneventful service in England and on the Continent, he was made
Major-General in 1754, and appointed to command the operations
against the French in America, where he arrived Feb. 20, 1755. On
his arrival he summoned a council of Governors, at which four expe-
ditions were decided on : against Niagara, Crown Point, Louisbourg,
and Fort Du Ouesne. The last expedition Braddock commanded in
person ; and falling into an ambuscade of a small body of French and
Indians, on July 9, 1755, when about 7 miles from the fort, his
advance was routed with great slaughter, and he was himself mortally
wounded.

Bradstreet, John (1711-1774). Adjutant-General to Gov. Shirley in
1755. Served against Ticonderoga and Crown Point 1758-59.
Major-General 1772.

Calvert, Cecilius. Son of Benedict Leonard, fourth Lord Baltimore,
and uncle of Frederick, to whom he held the place of Secretary for
Maryland.

Calvert, Frederick, sixth and last Baron Baltimore. He was born in
1 731, and succeeded his father, Charles, in 1751. In 1753 he married
Lady Diana Egerton, youngest daughter of the Duke of Bridgewater,
from whom he afterwards separated. He seems to have cared little
or nothing for his Province, except as a source of revenue ; and his

Preface. 1 1

selfishness and indifference to the welfare of his people did much to
render them hostile to the Proprietary government. He travelled
on the Continent for some years, and produced two or three books of
no value, which brought him a cut from the lash of Sterne, who
satirises him as " Mundungus" — a name given to the poorest kind of
tobacco. He died at Naples, September 14, 1771, without legitimate
children. By his will he bequeathed the Province of Maryland to his
illegitimate son, Henry Harford, a minor.

Cresap, Thomas. A native of Yorkshire, England, who settled in
Western Maryland before 1742. He was skilled in woodcraft and
Indian fighting, and took an active part in the border skirmishes
between the Marylanders and Pennsylvanians. He was commissioned
as captain of a militia company (riflemen) in 1754. He was also a
skilful surveyor, and made the map of the sources of Potomac in the
present volume (p. 72). Cresap is said to have lived to the age of 106.

De Lancey, James (i 703-1 760), Lieutenant-Governor of New York,
1753-1760.

Denny, W., Deputy-Governor of Pennsylvania, 1 756-1 759.

Dinwiddle, Robert (1693-1770). He was born in Scotland, and was
for a time, it is believed, a merchant in Glasgow. Collector of Cus-
toms in Bermuda, 1727, and in 1738, Surveyor-General of Customs
of the southern ports of America. In 1751 he was appointed Lieu-
tenant-Governor of Virginia. He memorialised the British Gov-
ernment on the subject of the military designs of the F"rench in the
Ohio valley, and sent Washington (then major of militia) to remon-
strate with the invaders, and afterwards, with a small force, to protect
the settlers. Dinwiddle was very active, though with more zeal than
military capacity, in the operations connected with, and following,
Braddock's expedition. He was recalled, at his own request, in
1758, and died in England in 1770.

Fairfax, Thomas, sixth Baron Fairfax (1691-T781). His father, by his
marriage with Catherine, daughter and heiress of Lord Culpeper, had
succeeded to the title to a tract of over 5,000,000 acres in Virginia
between the Rappahannock and the Potomac rivers, which had been
granted by Charles II. to Lord Hopton and others. He settled in
Virginia in 1745.

Fauquier, Francis (i 720-1 768), succeeded Dinwiddle as Lieutenant-
Governor of Virginia in 1758.

Forbes, John (1710-1759). Brigadier-General in 1757, and Adjutant-
General in the expedition against Louisbourg. In 1 758 he commanded
the expedition against Fort Du Quesne, which was abandoned by the
French on November 24.

Fox, Henry ( 1 705-1 774). English Secretary at War 1 746-1 756, when he
resigned the office to William Pitt. Created Baron Holland in 1763.

Haldimand, Sir Frederick (171 8-1 791). A native of Switzerland, entered
the British army in 1754, came to America in 1757, and took part in
the attack on Ticonderoga and the defence of Oswego.

1 2 Pre/ace.

Halifax, Lord. George Montague, second Earl of Halifax, was
President of the Board of Trade.

Halkett, Sir Peter. Came to America in command of a British regiment
in 1754, and was killed, with his son, at the battle of the Monongahela.

Hamilton, James (i 710-1783), Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsylvania,
1748-1754-

Hanbury, John. A wealthy and influential London merchant.

Hardy, Sir Charles (i 705-1 780). Governor of Newfoundland in 1744,
British Administrative Governor of New York in 1755-1757, and
Rear-Admiral at the capture of Louisbourg in 1758.

Holdernesse, Lord. Robert dArcy, fourth Earl of Holdernesse, was
Secretary of State 1751-1761. Died in 1778.

Innes, James. A native of Scotland, and a citizen of New Hanover,
North Carolina. Was a captain in Gov. Gooch's unsuccessful expe-
dition against Cartagena in 1740. He commanded the North Caro-
lina contingent against the French in 1754, and the garrison of Fort
Cumberland in 1755.

Lawrence, Charles, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia in 1754, and
Governor in 1756. Brigadier-General in 1757, and took part in the
siege of Louisbourg. Died in 1760.

Loudoun, John Campbell, Earl of (i 705-1 782). He was selected to
command the forces in America after Braddock's defeat, and arrived
in July, 1756. He proved a weak and incompetent commander, and
made himself very unpopular by his embargo on commerce, and other
vexatious acts, while undertaking nothing against the French. He
was recalled in 1758.

Lyttelton, William Henry (17.20-1808). Governor of South Carolina,
1755-60- Raised to the peerage as Lord Lyttelton in 1794.

Morris, Robert Hunter (i 700-1 764). Lieutenant-Governor of Penn-
sylvania, 1 754-1 756.

Orme, Robert. Lieutenant in the British army (though usually styled
" Captain "). He was a favorite with Braddock, whom he accom-
panied to America. He was wounded at the battle of the Monon-
gahela, but recovered, and has left an interesting journal of the
expedition.

Pitt, William (i 708-1 778). Secretary of State, 1 756-1 761. Was raised
to the peerage as Earl of Chatham in 1766.

Pownall, John. Secretary to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.

Pownall, Thomas (i 723-1805). Lieutenant-Governor of New Jersey,
1755; Governor of Massachusetts Bay in 1757-60, and of South
Carolina, 1760-61.

Robinson, Sir Thomas. Member of the Board of Trade, 1748-49;
Privy Councillor, 1750, and a Secretary of State, 1 754-1 755. Was
raised to the peerage as Baron Grantham in 1761.

St. Clair, Sir John. Lieutenant-Colonel in the British army, and Deputy
Quartermaster-General for the forces operating against the French.
He arrived in America in 1755, and was shot through the body at the
Monongahela, but recovered.

Preface. 1 3

Sharpe, John, brother of Horatio. He was one of the guardians of
Frederick, Lord Bahimbre ; held various public offices at different
times, and was a member of Parliament for Collington. He died 1 756.

Sharpe, William, another brother. He was keeper of the Council
records in 1756.

Shirley, William (i 693-1 771). Governor of Massachusetts, 1 741-1756,
and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in America after Brad-
dock's death. His son was Braddock's secretary, and was killed at
the Monongahela.

Stanwix, John. Colonel 60th regiment. Royal Americans, and com-
mander of the Southern district in the operations against the French
in 1756. Major-General 1759. Died 1765.

NOTES.

Page 7, line 3. "length " should be "south."

Page 7, line 34. " intirely that." " convinced " seems to be wanting.

Page 1 7, line 25. This letter, found among the Calvert Papers, seems
to be an abbreviated draft kept by the writer.

Page 22, line 1. "48''' degree" for "40""."

Page 53, line 33. The MS. vol. referred to is in the Calvert Papers.

Page 64, line 13. "Pilates" for "pilots."

Page 78, line 40. "Jamonville" for "Jumonville."

Page 78, line 41. "Du Gurne" for "Du Ouesne."

Page 80, line 43. "sent open," etc. Inserted note of the scribe. It
is explained by letter, p. 82.

Page 100, line 43. The Calvert referred to is not the Secretary, but a
kinsman living in Maryland.

Page 117, line 40. "Royal Highness." The Duke of Cumberland.

Page 1 1 7, line 44. " character," i. e. handwriting.

Page 130, line 6. Cresap's Map. See p. 72.

Page 131, line 42. "Heirs." Probably "heads."

Page 146, line 4. Moncatoocha, also called Scarroyady, was an
Oneida chief who succeeded the Half-King, Thanacharisson, in 1754.
He was a faithful ally of the English, and accompanied Braddock's
expedition, in which he lost a son.

Page 147, line 11. PSS. An unintelligible contraction.

Page 179, line 8. The murder referred to was committed by George
Talbot upon Christopher Rousby in 1684. Talbot was carried to Vir-
ginia and condemned to death, but pleaded the King's pardon. This
led later to complicated questions involving the title of lands formerly
held by him : whether they were forfeited or not ; whether a condemna-
tion in a Virginia court for an offence committed by a Marylander in
Maryland, was not illegal ; and whether the King's pardon did not
restore his estates, if legally forfeited.

Page 154, line 25. "Aruadacks." Probably "Arondacks."

Page 166, line 37. " Scarroyada." See note to p. 146.

Page 168, line 17. " calavances." A word unknown to the editor.

Page 173, line 4. "17/ -p cent." Apparently 17 shillings per cwt., or
about 2'' per lb. on the hoof. The "fifth quarter" the editor cannot
explain.

Page 180, line 15. " Sheveralty," i. e. shrievalty or sheriffalty.

Page 198, line 12. The interpolated figures were added by the
original scribe.

Page 203, line 37. The minutes of this Council are printed in Colon.
Rec. of Penna. vi. 365.

1 6 Notes.

Page 205, line 25. This extract is all we have of this letter.

Page 212, line 2. "last" for "least."

Page 234, line 35. "Half-King" was the title given by the English
to one of the Oneida chiefs. For Moncatoocha, the chief referred to,
see note to p. 146.

Page 253, line 21. "Guust" should be "Gist's."

Page 253, line 29. "Shirley." Not the Governor, but his son, W.
Shirley, Braddock's secretary.

Page 254, line 45. "mres," "matters."

Page 272, line 31. "vast" for " fast."

Page 274, line 18. "Governor Innes." That is, governor or com-
mandant of the fort.

Page 297, line 18. "General Johnson." This was Colonel, after-
wards the famous Sir William Johnson, the chief intermediary between
the English and the Six Nations.

Page 305, line 35. "Mr. Ridout." Sharpe's secretary.

Page 320, line 11. MS. torn.

Page 328, line 34. "Charge" for "change."

Page 329, line 5. "Levell'd" for "levied."

Page 343, line 31. "Neutrals." The Acadians, or " neutral French,"
as they were called, deported from Nova Scotia in the fall and winter of
1755. In this violent proceeding families were separated and the mem-
bers sent to far distant ports, as in the case here mentioned.

Page 391, line 43. "Cape Capon" for "Cacapon."

Page 426, line 45. ";^||^" i- e. from six to eight hundred pounds.

Page 515, line 28. "Janicata" for "Juniata."

Page 515, line 34. He seems to mean "the Pennsylvanians' ignor-
ance of the art of war."

Page 527, line 2. "this place," /. e. Philadelphia.

Page 541, line 11. "vived" for "vied."

Page 541, line 23. "y'" months," sic. Perhaps for "th' month."

[Governor Horatio Sharpe to Caecilius Calvert.]
20'*' Aug" 1753 transmitted by Cap' Fannin.

I arrived here the lo"" Instant & was sworn into my office
the same Afternoon at which time I took occasion in a short
speech to acquaint the Gentlemen of the Council, how well
satisfied His Lordship had expressed himself with the Steadi-
ness they had shewn in supporting his Rights & Priviledges, the
Honour & Dignity of the Government ; and that I had His
Lordships commands to assure them of the due sense His
Lordship had of their great Qualifications and Merit, & re-
peated the same to them again severally as they occasionally
waited on me. His Lordship being so near a conclusive deter-
mination in regard to the Boundarys of Pensllvania I thought it
my Duty to summon a general Council which J did the 15
Inst' to consider of the 74 Article of my private Instructions.
To wit, How far the Circle round Newcastle will affect the
Head of Cheseapeak Bay; As the Pensilvanians will not per-
mit any person to take observations thereof, tis impossible to
say certainly, but it is hoped that it will not affect the River
Heads. It is a Country abounding with Hills, therefore super-
ficial measurement will be for his Lordships Advantage. That
part of the Peninsula where a West line has been run from Cape
Hinlopen (or for Distinction sake Cape Cornelius) is a flat
Country therefore the way of Measuring that is no further ma-
terial than that if you allow Horizontal measurement there
Mess" Penns rnay give it as a reason for measuring above
after the same manner. It is to be observed that the Tempo-
rary Line is drawn 15 Miles south of the most southern part of
Philadelphia, which takes away from his Lordship much good
Land ; It would be a great Advantage & it is much to be
wished you could continue the Line due North (after it has
touched the Circle) to the 40° 00" at least to 39 56.

A Line due West in that Latitude will run a little North of
one of the Bendings of the river Potowmack, much depends
thereon in respect to the Boundarys with Lord Fairfax for by
what I have yet seen I doubt that Branch which runs about
S" West by the Allegany Mountains will be deemed the Foun-

2 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. tain Head of Potowmack & is to be desired if you could obtain

said Latitude of 39° 56' & His Lordship will even then be a

considerable looser according to his First grant nor will you

p- 2 then be within 1 5 Miles of Philadelphia altho' to the Northw'^

of the Latitude thereof.

It is impossible to fix how far North would be a good Bound-
ary for Maryland on Account of the uncertainty of the
Draughts and impracticability of making observations and re-
marks necessary for that Advice. I can only say what you
know that the more Northw'' the Better.

The Council came to this Resolution — namely That as so
much will depend on a Northern Line drawn from the Midle
or any other Point of an East and West Line across the Penin-
sula That the most Adviseable Step is to have a due North Line
run from the Midle of the East & West Line already run from
Fenwicks Island to Taylors Island by which this Board will be
better enabled to consider what divisional Line may Affect the
Heads or Navigable Waters of our Rivers or it's intersection
with any East & West Line which may be intended for a
Northern Boundary to this province and a Southern one to
Philadelphia.

This scheme M' Emery has already been endeavouring to
execute by M' lennings order and has proceeded (beginning
at the Midle of the said Line from Fenwicks Island) North to
the Latitude of Bohemia River which River he says — His due
North Line Leaves a litle to the West as it does also the Navi-
gable part of Sassafras. I sent for this Surveyor to hear what
information He could give me and what was his opinion of the
North Line if continued He says that he believes it will be
West of the 1 2 miles circle but shall be able to say exactly in
a Month if not obstructed by the Pensilvanians who I am
informed threaten anyone they can catch with any such design
on their setlements with Imprisonments, which M' Emery is
under great apprehensions of, but returned Yesterday to prose-
cute his work according to the order of Council. What I have
said above is all I have been able to learn of this Affair but
could wish that no Articles be agreed on at least till M' Jen-
nings arrival who will be able to bring you the plan (which
M' Emery begun by his order) com pleated. I have sent for
M' Cressop who lives near Lord Fairfaxes Territories that I
may be well informed of the Boundarys on that side which I
shall take the first opportunity of comunicating. As it is
doubtfull whether M' Emery could run a Line of such a length
without considerable Variation from his meridian (having only
a small pocket compass to direct him) You will think it proper
to word any Articles so as to secure the said Rivers and make
it an Article That if the said North Line happens to be a

Correspondence of Govemior Sharpe. 3

Secant to the New Castle Circle, it be so confirmed but if it Letter Bk.
runs to the Westward of the Circle that then the Divisional i'- 3
Line be a Tangent. You have had a Map sent you by M'
Tasker with one Wilmers Name to it. The person has not de-
lineated it by any observation of his own that I can find so that
you will expect no accuracy in it ; It is made by a scale of 69
Statute Miles to a Degree. Ouere: Whether such a Division
of a Degree does not favour Mess" Penns interpretation of the
2^ and 5"' Articles of the late Lords Agreem'

There are two livings Vacant in Worcester County One
of them Valued at 30,000"' weight of Tobacco, the other only
at 17,000"' weight p Annum but will after the decease of M'
Adams receive an addition of about 1 3,000"" -p Ann: I shall
according to his Lordships Instructions induct M' Harris to the
last and if his Lordship pleases to signifie his pleasure remove
him to the other for which no one has made application besides
M' Addams as an Exchange for his, And one M"^ Dingle whom
as yet I know nothing of —

[Gov. Hamilton to Sharpe.]
Sir

I have received the favour of your letter of the 16"' instant. Original,
acquainting me with your appointment to the Government of
Maryland, and of your safe arrival in that Province : upon
which, I very heartily congratulate you, and wish you much
ease and satisfaction, in your administration.

As I am perswaded that a ffriendly correspondence between
the Governors of the several British Plantations cannot fail of
conducing to the general benefit of the whole, it gives me a
sensible pleasure to find you on your first Arrival making so
free, and candid a declaration upon that Head. You will
please to be assured, my Disposition, with regard to this sub-
ject, is exactly conformable to yours, and that I shall take the
greatest pleasure in giving you testimonies of it upon all occa-
sions.

I am Sir
Your most obedient humble servant
lames Hamilton

Philadelphia 27° August 1753.

[Lord Holdernesse to Sharpe.]

Whitehall August sS'*- 1753
Sir

His Majesty having received Information of the March, original,
of a Considerable Number of Indians, not in Alliance with

4 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

the King, supported by some regular European Troops,
intending as it is apprehended, to commit some Hostilities, on
Parts of his Majesties Dominions in America ; I have the
Kings Commands to send you this Intelligence, and to direct
you to use your utmost Diligence, to learn, how far the same
may be well grownded, and to put you upon your Guard, that
you may, at all Events, be in a Condition to resist any hostile
Attempts that may be made upon any Parts of his Majesties
Dominions, within your Government and to direct you in the
Kings Name, that, in Case the Subjects of any Foreign Prov-
ince or State, should presume to make any Incroachment, [on]
the Limits of his Majesties Dominions, or to erect Forts on his
Majesties Lands, or commit any other Act of Hostility, you
are immediately to represent the Injustice of such Proceeding
and to require them forthwith to desist from any such unlawfull
undertaking ; But if, notwithstanding your Requisition, they
should still persist, you are then to draw forth the armed Force
of the Province, and to use your best Endeavours, to repel
Force by Force ; But as it is his Majesties Determination not
to be the Aggressor, I have the Kings Comands, most strictly
to enjoin you, not to make use of the armed Force, under your
Direction excepting within the undoubted Limits of his Majes-
ties Dominions. And whereas it may be greatly conducive to
his Majesties Service, that all his Provinces in America, should
be aiding and assisting each other, in Case of any Invasion, I
have it particularly in Charge, from his Majesty to acquaint
you, That it is his Royall Will and Pleasure, that you should
keep up, an Exact Correspondence, with all his Majesties Gov-
ernors on the Continent ; and in Case you shall be informed
by any of them, of any Hostile Attempts, you are immediately
to Assemble the general Assembly, within your Government,
and lay before them, the necessity of a mutual Assistance, and
engage them to grant such Supplies as the Exigency of Affairs
may require. I have wrote by this Conveyance to all his
Majesties Governors to the same Purpose
I am

Sir
Your most Obedient

Humble Servant
Holdernesse

[Gov. Dinwiddle to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg Sept' 3^^ I753-
S^
Original. Y' Fav° of the 15"^ ult° by the Post I reC* last Night, & hope
before this, you rec"^ mine by our Friend M'' Jennings, & desire

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 5

to repeat my sincere Desire to keep up a constan Corres-
pond" with you, & when any thing occurs relating to these
Colonies, I shall keep you duely advis'd thereof. I am with
great Truth.

Y' Excellency's
very hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddle

[Sharpe to Calvert.] ' Letter Bk.

Sept: 14. 1753 transmitted by M'lennings.
Sir

Upon M' Emery's return from running the North Line I
called a Council the 12''" Instant who came to the Resolution
as inclosed. I have sent you also M' Emory's Plen with his
remarks & Observations He has lain down neither Sassafras
Bohemia or Elk River but in his Remarks says the North Line
will not touch the Heads of any Rivers, nor wiU the Circle
round Newcasde as run by IVL Daker in 1732 affect the Head
of the Bay or any of the Rivers as far as He is capable of
judging & supposes that a due North Line will take in War-
wick Town & be a Secant of the Circle & not a Tangent but
opinions you see & a few I am affraid inaccurate Observations
are the best guides we as yet have & I see no probability but
of remaining still in the Dark unless the Penns will give free p- 4
liberty to execute what the Council have thought necessary to
be performed comply with what is mentioned in the Report of
the Council. M' lennings has taken some pains to make Him-
self Master of this Affair & as We will be able to give you
more light into it then I as yet am able to do I must beg leave
to refer you to Him. M' Cressop gave it as his Opinion to
the Council that the Temporary Line is to the Northw** of any
Bendings of the River Potomack & that the South Branch
runs 60 or 80 Miles farther West then the Spring Head of the
Northern Branch upon w"^'' representation of His by Advice of
the Council I have wrote the following Lett' to Ld Fairfax.
[See below.]

If you can obtain from Mess'* Penns to go to the Latitude of p. 5
40° upon Susquehana in order to run a West Line thence
for your Northern Boundary You may give up so much of the
Eastern Side of that River as lies north of the Temporary Line
in respect to this M' Jennings can give more certain informa-
tion to whom I should not have taken the liberty of referring
had any one else here seemed equally capable of giving me
information. He comes to England on leave of Absence in-
tending should not that Climate agree with his Constitution to
return again ; on my acquainting Him (as instructed) with
your farther expectations from Him if He continues his Office

6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. He answered that He hoped soon to have the pleasure of
seeing you & was persuaded you should not disagree on
Terms.

The Act for the more effectual punishment of Negroes &
other Slaves taken notice of in the 68 Article of my private
Instructions I find is expired I shall take especial care on its
revival to have it more properly penned. —

(I am sorry I have reason to think myself obliged not to
comply with my Lords instructions in respect to M' Harris as
soon as I could wish and as I mentioned in my last that I in-
tended on account of his being charged with the forgery of a
Bill during his residence in London which I am affraid He will
not be able to vindicate Himself from)

W^ Tasker was desired to acquaint Me with the Affair & the
p. 6 Clergy when they presented their Address delivered with it a
Remonstrance on his Account, Lhave given him leave if He
can make sufficient Interest with either of the parishes to offi-
ciate in their Church during the vacancy & till his Ldp will be
pleased to signify his farther pleasure concerning Him.

Council Minutes as mentioned to have been inclosed in the
preceding Letter. 1 2 Sepf

His Excell: having been pleased to signify to this Board his
Ldp's pleasure that We should give our sense of what Terms
might be reasonable for an agreement between Himself & the
Proprietarys of Pensilvania in the Settlement of the respective
Limits & Bounds of their two Provinces : And several plans
& Observations being laid before Us We are of opinion that
so much uncertainty appears at present as well with respect to
the Heads of Rivers running into Chesepeak Bay as to the
Circle of Newcasde & the Latitude of the most northern Bend
of Potomack River, that We would not presume to advise any
particular Boundary unless a due North Line could be run
from the Middle of such an East & West Line as may be
agreed on between the Proprietaries across the Peninsula as
also a due West Radius run from the centre of the Circle of
Newcastle & the Latitude of the most Northern Bend of Poto-
mack be taken by Observation.

p. 4 [Sharpe to Lord Fairfax.]

My Lord

I have the honour of acquainting your Lordship with my ap-
pointment to this Government and at the same time expressing
Sincere Satisfaction from the hopes of being instrumental in
forwarding a mutual Benefit to your Lordship as well as the
Lord Proprietary of this Province

Lord Baltimore was pleased to Charge me with an Enquiry
into the True Meridian and Place of the Fountain head of Pa-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 7

towmeck ; The best Information I have been hitherto able to Letter Bk.
procure gives me Reason to believe there has been a mistake
in fixing the Spring head to the North Branch since the Length
with other Circumstances more properly denotes the Southern
Branch commonly called Wappacomo to be the main & prin-
cipal Course of that River. I am the more willing to be
persuaded of the Truth of this Representation from the con-
siderable Advantage that will accrue to your Lordship. That
Branch I am Informed has never been thoroughly explored and
traced to it's Source, but I flatter myself with having your Lord-
ship's Concurrance for such an Examination into its Course
Length Width and Depth as may bring this Matter to a nearer
degree of Certainty and if that should appear to be the foun-
tain head of Patowmeck River I shall not Question but your
Lordship will be for taking such measures as may ascertain
the mutual Limits of the two' Proprietorships Agreeable to the
Direction and True Intention of their Respective Charters.

[Sharpe to Frederick, Lord Baltimore.] p. 6

Sept 14: 1753
My Lord I take this opportunity of complying with the re-
quest of the Parochial Clergy by transmitting their Address to
your Lordship Scat the same time of expressing my own grati-
tude for your Lordships Favours & assuring your Lordship
that I am too sensible of the honour conferred on me to be
wanting in my Duty or Zeal in advancing by all possible means
Your Lordships Honour & Interest. &c.

[Fairfax to Sharpe.] .^'u ^

Frederick SeptenV the 24"" 1753

Sir

Yours I received by M' Young, by which I perceive Lord
Baltimore designs to dispute with this Province which is the
head Spring of Patowmeck the length or North Branch as Run
out by the Commissioners between his Majesty and me in the
year 1736. _

I am intirely that the South would be much to my Advan-
tage, and therefore think it improper for me to Appear therein,
and that the Governor of Virginia and your Excellency should
transact that Affair if his Lordship should obtain his demand,
I must insist upon a new Line between his Majesty and me to
the Southward. I heartily wish this Climate may be agreeable
to your Excellency. I remain

S^
Your humble Servant
To his Excellency Horatio Sharpe Fairfax

Governor of Maryland.

& u. s.
1753-67-
p. 16

8 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

2"^ of Oct' 1753. transmitted by Capt. Chew.
Sir

I take this opportunity of Addressing you in M"^ Ridouts
favour who (should M' Sterling's Commission be withdrawn &
the Office not revert to M' Calvert) desires if you are under
no prior Engagement to be recommended to that Office. You
know He is disqualified for holding any place under his Lord-
ships Commission till after three years residence on that Ac-
count I am persuaded as well as on my Recommendation you
will be ready to confer on Him such an Obligation. M' Ster-
lings District includes Chester Bohemia Sassafras & Patapsco
Rivers.

The Merchants will make interest I am told to seperate the
last from the other three & get it added as heretofore to the
Collectorship of Annapolis which will be much for the advan-
tage of their Trade. The other three are so adjacent that one
Person can attend Them all with great ease. —

I shall defer writing on any Business till I see the Disposition
of the Assembly who will meet to Day. Upon looking more
pardcularly into the Act for the more effectual punishment of
Negroes &c I find it is not to expire till next Session, and I
shall not at present be able to do any thing farther in regard
to the Quit Rent than to reduce the Farmers to 15^ p C' for
two years, in which time I shall be better able to put that Plan
You honoured me with in execution, &c.

p. 8 [Sharpe to Calvert.]

Oct' the sixth transmitted by M' Skinner. —

Sir: You have inclosed the Addresses of Both Houses of
Assembly in answer to my speech to them at the opening of
this Session. They take longer time to prepare an Address to
his Ldp. which I shall transmit as soon as They deliver The
usual Ceremonies have taken up so much of their time since
they have met that They have not yet proceeded to any Busi-
ness. I deferred the recommendation of any particular Laws in
my first Speech from an opinion that a little experience of their
Dispositions before I should propose any thing would give
me greater probability of success. I have ready to lay before
them a Bill penned by the Attorney Gen' for amending the
Act in regard to Princess Ann Town & He is prepareing
another for the Amendment of the Act for the more effectual
punishment of Negroes &c

I have ordered a State of the account & Disposal of what
Money has been collected by the Act of three Pence p Hhd

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. g

for Arms & Ammunition which will enable Me the better to Letter b
persuade the Lower House to reenact that Law this Session f- 9

The Rev"^ M' Malcolm has made Application to Me for a
removal to S' Mary's Parish in Dorset County the Value of
which exceeds 40000"^ of Tobacco p Ann: lately vacated by the
decease of M'Dill. M' Malcolm has lived in this Town as
Rector several years in good esteem, is now growing old &
having a large family is very worthy his Ldp's favour.

[Dinwiddle to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg Ocf 11"' 1753 —

The Bearer hereof M"' Geo. Gordon is an Inhabitant of y' 0''8'nai.
Province, he came here to pay me a Visit, & as he was a
Stranger to y' Excelpy pray'd my Letter to introduce him to
you. He formerly liv'd some years with me, & behav'd him-
self extreemly well, he afterwards enter'd into Trade in Mary-
land, & I find he has had some Misfortunes, but I hope his
Character in Maryland is the same as I really think he de-
serves, so pray allow me by this to introduce him to you.

I lately sent a Present to several Nations of Indians on the
Ohio &c. The Comiss'' I appointed is return'd here, but as yet
have not rec' his report of anything of Consequence in it I shall
in Time Comunicate to you.

Next May I have desir'd several of the Heads of the differ-
ent Tribes or Nations of Indians, to meet me at Winchester;
having a very handsom Present from his Majesty to give them,
if y' Excell^y by that Time have anything to Negotiate with
these People, I shall be glad if I can serve you ; in the mean
Time believe me to be with great regard & Sincerity
S-^
Y'' most Obed' hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddie
To his ExcelP'' Hon Sharpe Esq'

[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg Oct' 23'* 1753

Two Days ago arriv'd here a Man of War Sloop from Original.
Eng'' with sundry Dispatches for me; & Letters to all His
Majesty's GoV' on this Continent w"' orders to dispatch the
different Letters imediately to them; I therefore send this
Express as far as New York accordingly ; & he has my orders
on his return to call on you for a Letter to acknowledge the
receipt of the within from the Sec'" of State. As the Man of

lo Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

War has Orders to wait for my Dispatches, I think he will not
sail, till the return of the Express, that if you incline to write to
England, I shall take due Care to forward them, & I am with
very great respect

Y' Excell^-'^
Most Obed' hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddle.
Gov' Sharpe.

[Dinwiddle to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg Virg^ Nov' 24'^ 1753 —
S'
Original. Having an Express with some Letters from Gov' Hamilton
of Pensylvania, I cou'd not let him return without paying
my Compliments to You, & to desire you'll excuse my not
not answering your last Letter, which was occasion'd by great
Hurry in our Assembly's meeting. I receiv'd a Letter from
the Earl of Holderness which occasion'd my sending a Person
of distinction to the Comander of the French Forces on the
Ohio River ; I desir'd to know his reasons for his Invading
His Majesty of Great Britain's Dominions while a solid Peace
subsisted between us & France, & by what Authority he acted
in so unwarrantable Manner; & I desir'd he wou'd desist &
retire; Otherways I must follow the Orders & Directions of
the King my Master, by oblidging him by Force. — The Mes-
senger has been gone three Weeks when he returns, I shall
acquaint you of his reception & the Answer to my Letter; In
case of his refusal, which I expect will be, I shall depend on
the Assistance of the neighbouring Colonies to defeat their
Designs.

Next May I have desir'd a Meeting of the Northern &
Southern Indians, in the British Interest, at Winchester ; when
I shall endeavour to make up some small Breaches subsisting
between them & endeavour to make Peace among themselves ;
afterwards endeavour to have a firm Alliance concluded be-
tween the several different Nations of Indians, with the Crown
of Great Britain, & the Subjects settled on this Continent.

I shall be very proud of your Advice & Assistance in an
Affair that I think, will be of great Service to Britain, to the
Trade of these Colonies, & strengthening Our Western Fron-
tiers. I presume the Letter I sent you by the Express was
from the Secretary of State, for a mutual Supply, I shall be
glad to know the Inclination of your People on this Occasion.

I have laid His Majesty's Orders before our House of Bur-
gesses, but I fear they will not grant what I desire, unless the
Messenger I sent to the French returns before the House

I

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 1 1

adjourns. The Messenger I sent to New York is not yet
return'd which surprizes me.

Tho' I am much hurried yet I cou'd not shun writing you,
& to assure you I am with great Sincerity & in great Truth —
Y' Excellency's
Most Obed* lible Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddie
Gov' Sharpe

[Gov. Shirley to Sharpe.]

Boston November 26. 1753.
Sir

I received by the last Post a Letter from the Earl of Holder- original,
ness, dated 28"' of August past (a Circular one, as it appears
to be, to all his Majesty's Governments in North America) ac-
quainting me that his Majesty had receiv'd Information of the
march of a considerable number of Indians, not in Alliance
with him, supported by some regular European Troops,
intending, as it is apprehended, to commit some Hostilities on
Parts of his Majesty's Dominions in America, and directing me
to use my utmost Diligence to learn how far the same may be
well grounded: Acquainting me also that his Lordship had it
particularly in Charge to let me know that it was His Majesty's
Royal Will & Pleasure, that I should keep up an exact Cor-
respondence with all his Majesty's Governours on the Conti-
nent; and in Case I should be informed by any of them of
any hostile Attempts, that I should immediately assemble the
General Assembly within my Government, and lay before them
the Necessity of a mutual Assistance and engage them to grant
such Supplies, as the Exigency of Affairs may require.

In Obedience to these Instructions, I trouble you with this
Letter, to let you know that in Case any hostile Attempts shall
be committed upon his Majesty's Territories within the Limits
of your Honour's Government, for repelling of which that may
stand in need of the Assistance of his Majesty's other Colonies
upon the Continent, I shall be ready upon my being informed
of it by your Honour, to do my Duty within my own Governm'
for procuring their due Proportion of Supplies upon the Emer-
gency: And for this Purpose I shall be very glad to maintain
a strict Correspondence with your Honour pursuant to his
Maj'>'" Commands signified to me in the Earl of Holdernesses
before mentioned Letter.

I am with great Esteem
Sir,^
Your Honour's most Humble
and most Obedient Servant
W Shirley.

1 2 Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p. 9

NovenV 29"' transmitted by Capt: Alex: Piddle in the Francis.

Sir:

Inclosed I have sent the Addresses of the Upper & Lower
Houses of Assembly together with a Representation of the
Latter w"'' They delivered at the Conclusion of the Session on
the I f^ Inst: when among other Laws (which I shall be careful
to transmit with the Proceedings of the House by the first
opportunity after they can be prepared) were enacted the two
supplementary Acts specified in my Instructions concerning
Negroes & Princess Ann Town & the Law for Inspection of
Tobacco but with some few Alterations which the Upper

p. 10 House rather than reject it entirely thought proper to admit
The Temper & Moderation which the Burgesses seemed to
shew gave Me great hopes of seeing Them pass the Journal
which has long afforded occasion for Disputes but am sorry
to inform you that at length They determined not to recede
from the Conditions with regard to the Council's Allowance
which had been insisted on by preceeding Assemblies.

The Revival of the Law for Arms & Ammunition I did my
utmost to promote but neither my Exhortations nor the Secre-
tary of State's Letter requiring them to join in the Defence of
the neighbouring Colonies against any hostile Attempts of the
French or Indians could induce them to think such a timely
provision reasonable & necessary a Copy of the Secretary's
Letter with my Message on the receipt of it to the A.ssembly
& their Address in answer to it I have taken this opportunity
to transmit as His Ldp might think proper to acquaint the
Earl Holdernesse of the due obedience which has been paid
his Commands. The Journal of Accounts being not agreed
on by both Houses I had no opportunity of continuing M'

p- II Bladens Demand on the Publick which I am afraid tho' the
justness of it is not questioned will never be favourably heard
& could wish He had not contrary to advice built so much on
the publick Credit That Claim I doubt is not the least thing
that deters the Assembly from compleating the Gov" House
which I should have recommended, but it was thought a Bill
for that purpose proposed by some of their own Members next
Session would promise greater probability of Success: the
House at present is in a ruinous condition ; The Timbers within
& Roof being perished for want of a covering. My Compliance
at present with the 83'' Article of private Instructions by giving
orders to the Agent for the receipt of the Money arising from
Ordinary Licences is rendered impossible by a Law passed in
June 1746 Entitled an Act for issuing & taking out of the
Office of the Commissioners or Trustees appointed for emit-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. i 3

ting Bills of Credit &c which appropriates the Money arising Letter Bk.
thence to the payment of the Debt contracted by the prepara-
tions for the Canada Expedition \v'='' Debt is not yet discharged
With the Petition of the Naval Officers in which is set forth p- '-
the impossibility of conforming strictly to the Instruction that
forbids the Execution of that Office by Deputy I have inclosed
Col° Lloyd's Bond. An Indisposition which He has laboured
under these six Weeks has interrupted our Consultations con-
cerning His Ldp's Quit Rents, which shall be the Object of
our Care as soon as his Health will permit Him to venture
from home. We have as yet only agreed with the Farmers
for 15 -p C' for collecting Our farther Conclusion on That Ar-
ticle as well as the resolution of the Council on Kittsmillers
Affair I hope to send by the next opportunity. — During the
sitting of the Assembly one M' Craddock thought proper in a
Sermon addressed to the Legislature to enlarge on the scan-
delous Lives of many of his Brethren & seemed to recommend
the Establishment of some superior Authority which might
take Cognizance of such Persons. The Tuesday follow'^ the
Clergy Eleven in Number delivered Me a Remonstrance
which I have transmitted & immediately five of them Mess'* p. 13
Chace, Dean Cradock, M'^Guill & Brogden to shew the great
expectations they had from Me returned a Copy of the same
to the Committee of Aggrevances who thought that sufficient
grounds for bringing in a furious Bill against Roman Catho-
licks which the House thought proper to reject. M' Tasker
informs me there were no Papers of M' Ogles in the Executors
hands relative to his Ldp or his affairs but such as were en-
tered in the Council Records.

I have given Orders for surveying the several Manours, &
submit to his Ldp's consideration the Surveying some of the
Counties the Expence of which would be near 80^ Currency
each, & it is apprehended that Baltimore, Csecil, & Prince
George Counties in particular contain near one third more
Land than at present is pay'd for — The Proposals heretofore
made to the Discoverers of Escheat Lands has induced one
Demster apprehending His Land to fall under that Denomi-
nation to commence a suit with the Occupiers for a Tract of
Land in Caecil County called Savile containing 1513 Acres but
by reason of some Error in his Declaration was nonsuited & p- m
is too much reduced by that means to concern Himself farther
on his own account, if His Ldp pleases to engage in the affair
I beleive the Land might be recovered as the Grant to Philip
Calvert Esq: 1659. was prior to any other but He not making
any Improvements or settling People on it, other persons
taking out Patents for Land ran their Surveys on that Tract &
their Improvements to this time have devolved to their Heirs

L

14 Corr'espondence of Governor Sharpc.

Letter Bk. I. if the present Possessors are ejected they must be supplied
with an equal number of Acres in some other part of the
Province, & it wou"^ cause great uneasiness among those
Tenants & not contiguous to manour Lands, I leave to your
Determination whether it will be proper to drop the Affair or
prosecute farther His Ldp's Pretentions — You will find in the
pacquet some Charges on his Ldp for services which were
done before my Arrival but I do'nt choose to order the Agent
to answer the Bills before you acknowledge Allowance of
them & signifie his Ldp's pleasure to have them discharged.
I have received an Answer from Ld Fairfax to the Letter of
which I sent you a Copy He wishes the undertaking success

p- 15 & gives his free consent to any persons coming on the north-
ern Neck to make such Discoveries but does not choose to
engage in the affair Himself.

My intent to examine the two Branches of Potowmack I
have hinted to the Gov' of Virginia & writ to Col° Cressop to
know whether He will undertake that Business or not, & re-
turn me an accurate Description of their Courses, Rapidity &
Depth & the longitudinal Difference of the places of the
Spring Heads, but I suppose the severity of the Winter will
hinder Him from proceeding on those Enquiries this three or
four Months at least.

Among the Papers you will find an Abstract from a short
Treatise concerning the Boundaries of this Province which is
not yet finished but has been submitted to my perusal by one
M' Evans from Philadelphia, whether there be any Merit in
proving the propositions proposed in the Abridgment I leave
to your Determination but that He might procure some papers
at New York & elsewhere which He is persuaded will
strengthen his reasoning & assertions I have advanced Him
^30 Currency & given Him hopes on his success & settling in
this Province to expect farther encouragement if his Scheme

p. 16 be approved of by* his Ldp. There appears to me in his
Treatise one Article worthy observation which He has not
taken notice of in the Abridgment viz that to the time that
tract of Land was enfeoffed to M' Penn the Duke of York
had held the three lower Counties as an Appendix or appurte-
nance but was afterwards willing for better security to obtain a
Grant of them from tlie Crown. This grant is dated the 22"^ of
March in the 35"" of Charles the 2^ & the year 1682-3 Seven
months after he had granted them to M' Penn, the settling this
Date of that grant is warranted from the Copy of it in the
Hands of the Assembly in 1 707 which M' Norris in the Preface
to the new Edition of the Pensilvania Votes says is not now
among their Records, 'twas of the private Collection of the
then Speaker David Lloyd & is now in the hands of Joseph

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 1 5

Parker Esq. of Chester in Pensilvania, there is reason to sup- :
pose great privacy was used in the obtaining & passing it for
We find that 1683. 84 & 85 by several Committees of Council
held to examine the Contests of Mess" Penn & Ld Baltimore
about their Lines the Deleware Counties were considered as
yet ungranted by the King.

[Sharpe to Calvert.] ,

Transmitted by Capt: Piddie dated Decern' 10: 1753.
Sir:

Since my Letter of the 29"' was sent on board I have re-
ceived information of the Decease of the Rev"^ M"^ Cox & M"'
Thornton in Queen Ann County, as M' Cox's Parish is to be
divided there are now vacant 4 Livings 2 of them about
30000"" of Tobacco -p An. the other 2 much less considerable
besides M' Harriss & Dingly mentioned in a former Letter
there is only one Clergiman unprovided for in the Province
M' M^farson: but one M' Hotchkiss who some time since
brought with Him to the Continent earnest Lett'" of Recom-
mendation to M" Ogle whose Death the Gent" being acquainted
with at his arrival in Virginia has since resided in a Parish of
that Province to which He was presented by the Gov' but I
apprehend would be glad to quit for one here w'^'' are more
valuable if His Ldp should favour him with Approbation— We
have also lost M'' Dulany the Comm^' whose office M' Tasker
Sen' has accepted but as it is necessary for a Person in that Em-
ployment to be skilled in the Law I beleive He would be well
satisfied to have M' Dan' Dulany joined with him in the Com-
miss" and as it is an encreasing Office it would I imagine
answer the expectations of Both should He also be approved of
by his Ldp: to succeed his Father in the Council I know not
of any Person more proper

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

transmitted by the aforementioned Capt.
S'

having received advice of M' Charles Goldsborough's inten-
tion to apply by M' Hanbury's means for a seat in the Council
I thought proper to intimate to you that the Family from
which this Gent" is descended have always signalized them-
selves by their opposition to the Government; & there is little
Room from his general Behaviour to suppose this Gent"' Senti-
ments differ from his Predecessors : neither can it be justly
represented [tho as a Lawyer he might have some Character
that any superlour Abilities give Him reason to expect his

1 6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

tter Bk. I. Ldp's favours w'^'' might be better conferred on those who
have recommended themselves by some preceeding merit &
to that He can by no means have any pretensions.

PS. I take this opportunity of informing you of the arrival
of the arms by Capt White from w'" I received y' favour of the
29''' of August —

[Governor De Lancey to Sharpe.]

New York 11 Dec'' 1753.
Sir

On Friday last I recieved the inclosed letter, (with others to
the Governors of Virginia, Pensylvania, New Jerseys, New
Hampshire & the Massachusetts Bay) from the Lords Com-
missioners for Trade and the Plantations to be forwarded as
addressed ; and as they are referred to in thier Lordships letter
to me, I inclose you an extract of it, in persuance of which I
proposed an interview with the Indians at Albany on the 13"'
or 14"^ day of next June. The Assembly have this day re-
solved, that they will make Provision for the presents usually
given on such occasions and for the expence of my Voyage,
so that I intend to meet the Indians at the time and place
abovementioned. The Assembly have also resolved (upon my
laying before them the letter from the Earl of Holdeness one
of his Majestys principal Secretaries of state) that they will
make a suitable Provision for Assisting any of the Neighbour-
ing Colonies to repell force by force in case they be invaded
in an Hostile manner by any armed force whatsoever. I send
you the extract of a letter from the Commanding Officer at
Oswego, by which it appears, if the information be true, that
the designs of the French on the Ohio have proved abortive.
I am

Sir

Your most obedient & most
humble Servant

James De Lancey
The Hon''''' Horatio Sharp

Governor of Maryland.

Original. [Lord Glencaim to Sharpe.]

My Dear Sharpe

I dont know if I should have troubled you with a letter till
such time as you had made as much money as you deserved
and had come home and setled in your own countrie, then I
wold have writ you a letter of Congratulation, but as I'm now
obliged to trouble you on another account before I mention

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 17

the Subject allow me to wish you all meanes of hapiness, and
ashore you no freind you have wishes you better than I doe,
nor wold rejoys more to hear of your prosperity, but as I know
you Gov"^' have not much time to spair to write to your old
freinds and acquantances shall not be surprised if I have no
answer to this —

but to come to the point I had this day a letter from my
Sister Lady Marg' Grham whom you know, beging me to
recomend to your protection two young Gentlemen in Anapolis,
the name of the one is George Stewart a Doctor as his brother
cals him, the other is caled William, but of what profesion is
not mentioned to me, I know nothing of ether of the men, but
if they behave well, as they are recomended by my sister I will
allways esteme it as a favour you take notis of them and doe
them what servis lays in your power, I have been close in Scot-
land since I saw you, so can write you no news but that our
marine affairs are in the same way you left them, My wife joins
me in best Respects to you, and with unalterable affection I am

My Dear Sharpe
Y' most affec' freind
and humble Servant
Kilmarnoc Glencairn

24"^ DeC" 1753.

[Calvert to Sharpe.]

London lan^ the 5"' 1754
Sir

I have y'' Aug" the 22^* & Sep'' the 14"' y'' safe arrival at
Annapolis is a Satisfaction & pleasure to hear & of y"' being
in the Seat of Goverm' My Lord has y'' Sep'' the 14''' he sends
you his Compl" & doubts not y'^ strict adherence to him & all
Concernshe has committ'd to y' Care. Is satisfied with y'^ observ-
ance of the 1.5"' Article of his Inst"' to the Council, touching
his " Notice of continuance of Them his Council & Members
of the Upp"^ House of Assembly for their Steadiness to his
Father & their just Conduct during his Minority on Public
Affairs & in Support of his Rights, y'^ Observance of his
74"' Article of Inst"' he approves."

The Summons of the Council to Consider of the Twelve
Miles Circle round New Castle Town" Had the Councils
opinion transmitt'd, answ'' the Resolve of the Inst" by descrip-
tion. How at & near the Head of Chesopeak Bay Bears East
& North the Rivers Stream^ in. That is, Whether their Spring
Heads wo"* be Clear off the Perisphry of the 1 2 Miles Circle to
be form'd round New Castle Town, it wo'' have been Satisfac-
tory. But of this you say " the Pensilvanians will not permit
any Person to take observations, therefore it is impossible to

1 8 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert Say Certain " However observations must be had more Cer-
Papers. ^^-^^ ^^^ j^g^g been. The Mess"^" Vasey & lones Mathema-
ticians say, " Comparing the North Line run by M' Emory,
with a Line paralel to it about two Miles distance from New
Castle Town, Maryland will gain above the Head of Elk
River ab' Three Thousand Barren Acres from New Castle
County. But say they She loses ab' the Head of Broad Creek,
Bohemia & two Rivers Sassafras & Chester above Twenty
times as much " M' Emery endeavours to Acco' for an Allow-
ance made by M' Vazey of the variation Viz' " If M' Vazey
had run his Line not allowing for the variation it wo*^ near
have Struck Warwick Town " by w*" he Apprehends " the 1 2
Miles Circle to be round New Casde will not take any Naviga-
ble Waters that a Canoe can swim in Tis of consequence
realy to know upon adjust^ the measurm' of the Circle of what
Effect to Maryland? w*" at presentbet: his Lord^^ Mathematicians
is inaccurate & deprives him to form final Determination,
having no Intelligence that enables him with any Criterion to
conclude Boundaries Easf^ bet: Maryland & Pensilvania. The
Mess'= Penns want no Intelligence from their Province of
the Lat: North & South & of Longitude the Maridian bet: any
two Places East & West to Substitute Lines to perfect Cramp
or Pillage the Inheritance of Maryland. This is Exemplyfy'd
in the Articles of Agreem' with them & the late Lord by a
Chart fix'd thereunto, suspect'd theirs & transmitt'd to the late
Lord from his Province, said Knavishly, hoped ignorantly.
The Chart has no Description, is plan'd with no Distance
of one Place from another or has it a Scale. Thus stands
his Lordp in Dilemna involved with' knowledge to Steer his
Course. Gentelmen of the Province that have & are in
Lucrative Employs have been write to for advice & Intelligence
w'' they have Neglected Answ^ not to Enter into agreem' with
the Pensilvanian Proprietors until his Lord^ was Apprised of
the true State. All rec'' from them dependant many years, has
been Doubts & Blown Surmises, Trash for Law Plead^" End-
less in Dispute.

My Lord approves of y Endeavour with Lord Fairfax's in
Virginia to fix the Branch of Potomack River by another
Branch run^ South West, it will enlarge & Extend Maryland
much more than the Branch run^ North West, & will Advantage
Lord Fairfax as to his Particular Tract of Land, yet it will be
very Difficult to gain the Colony of Virginia Consent to re-
settle, as it will be the Losser by alter^ the Course of the River,
w"" has been Settled by Order of the Crown, & of w^ the late
Lord Baltimore had Notice & was present with Lord Fairfax
at the Hearing before the Council, whose Report the King
Confirm'd, & Accordingly the Spring Head has been Determin'd

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. ig

by the Virginia Cofniss"'' Exparte with' Maryland Comiss'= Caiven
Lord Baltimore Pray^ None. Lord Fairfax & the Colony of ^^^^^'
Virginia's Chart of the Courses of the Rivers Rapphanock &
Potomack the latter the fix'd Boundary South bet: Maryland
& Virginia Accord* to the Order of the King & Council in
1736 & 1737.

His LordP' desires you will obtain M' Cresapes Opinion
Certain by Observation of the North Temporary Line. His
Majesty's Line by advice of his Council bet: Maryland & Pen-
silvania, of w*" Line I Learn M' Cresap thinks is North of the
highest Bend & Flow of Potomack River. If the Bend is over
the Line the Pensilvanians will claim Water Passage to the
Spring Head & on that River ; it is of Consequence to know
upon Settl*^ the North Temporary Line. The 12 Miles Circle
to be round New Castle in point of Measurem' you write, is
best superficialy had "& Say" it is a Country abounds with
Hills" With Submission. How can Superficial Measurem'
on a Plane Answ"^ Mixt with Hills? Excuse Me, a complet
Circle on such ground can't be performed but by Measure
Horizontal to answer Equal Radiuses from the Center to the
Periphery of a round Circle. I observe, the Town of Warwick
by M' Emory's Chart is off his 1 2 Miles Circle of New Castle,
& his Observations are, no Navigable Waters are Tangent to
the Circle of Depth, this answ^ Horizontal Measure & giving
the Pensilvanians no Inlet by Water Carriage into Chesopeak
Bay wo'' be Contentm' as it wo'' not Subject his Lord^ nor his
Province to Loss by their having pretence of Navigation
Passage thro' the Province & thereby be the Carriers of Mary-
land produce & to smuggle in & out Traffick Duty ffree. By
Let' from Cecil County Aug' the 2^ 1753 from Mess"^" Vazey
& lones to M"^ lenings Dep>' Sec^' w*" I have read, they meet
with particular opposition on their Endeavours by Observat"
North'' in the Province from Cap' Peregrine Ward his Lord^'
lustice of the Peace, such Behaviour is very blamable by him a
Conservator of the Peace, ag' Persons by Authority sent in
Right of Dominion Grant'd by Royal Charter. My Lord Notes
him deserving of Resentm' at proper time to you. On further
Observation on M' Emory's Chart soutli near Fenwick Island
near the East shore, where the Pensilvanians insist Cape
Hinlopen is, a Line is run from East to West to Taylors
& James Islands in Chesopeak Bay. On that Line two
Meridian Division Lines are Tangent, run up as Division
Lines to be run on the Peninsula the East Shore, up to the
12 Miles Circle off New Castle. Of these Lines, the East"'
the Maryland Comiss" insisted in Right to Maryland. The
Wesf* the Pensilvanians Comiss'' insisted in Right to Pensil-
vania. These Lines were propositions of the Comiss'^ at their

20 Corresponde7ice of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert meet^ at the Meridian of the Line, & where the Comiss'= Dis-
*P^"' agreed. The Maryland Cofniss'' aledging the Division Line
East was the Meridian of the Line a Cross the Peninsula & w''
Line ought to stop on the Verge of the Main Land West at
Chesopeak Bay. The Pensilvanian Comiss'' aledg'd the \yest
Line Tangent on the Line run to Chesopeak Bay aught to run
& stop on the West Verge of Taylors & lames Islands in
Chesopeake Bay; under pretence they are not Islands, but the
Main Land of the Peninsula, thereupon both Cofniss'* Disagree^
they Departed with' determination. The fixing Cape Hinlopen
at Fenwick Island, w'^'' the Ancient & the Modern Maps set
near the Enterance of Delaware Bay ab' 20 Miles North of Fen-
wick Island, the Maryland Comiss'^ agree^ it to be there is very
injurious to Maryland. The Chart to the Articles of agreem'
bet: the late Lord & the Mess'' Penns co'' give them no Direc-
tions or Knowledge thereto, nor had they any Directions or
Authority from the late Lord for so Doing, further the space
bet: the two Tangent Division Lines North up to the Circle
off New Castle, the Line West if Grant'd favours too much to
the Penns the Division of the Peninsula on the East side,
taking the Largest share of Country & two Large Rivers that
flows into a Broad Creek, whose Waters run into Nanticok
River, w'' runs into the Bay of Chesopeak Southw'' these
Waters are Navigable by M' Emory's Remark for Ships of
Burthen, carrying three Hundred Hogsh"*' of Tobacco near
Ten Miles up from the Broad Creek, by w*" they will Claim
Navigation Passage in & out of the Bay of Chesopeak, this is
one advantage, besides their fixing Cape Henlopen at Fen-
wick Island to run the Line from East to West to Chesopeak
Bay the Broadest Part of the Peninsula to fix a Meridian Line
up to the Circle off New Castle, if that Line is Admitt'd to the
Islands in Chesopeak Bay the Pensilvanian Cofniss" will have
Smuggled a Considerable Country out of Maryland to their
Colony. On further Attention to M' Emory's Chart is, on the
South side of Indian River run^ into the Adantick Ocean, a
Line East & West to Choptank Bay West the Waters of
Chesopeak Bay By his Remarks is a Land at the Inlet of
Indian River bear^ North & by West one -Mile & the Sea
Beach from the Inlet bears N. & W. ab' five Miles, then N. N.
W. ab' four Miles, then near N. by E. ab' six or seven Miles
to the true Cape Hinlopen at the Enterence of Delaware Bay.
Where the Speaker M' Onslow, Guardian to his Lordp Offer'd
the Mess'" Penns to Consider with them on Lord Baltimores
Behalf for run^ the Line East & West to the Bay of Cheso-
peak, & for settl* a Meridian Line to run up to the Circle off
New Castle Town, agreeable to the Order of the King &
Council in 1685, w*" offer they refused. However, with refer-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 21

rence to the Premises. Instead of that East & West Line caiver
South of Indian River to Choptank Bay, a Line be run East & ^'^"''
West on the North side of the Inlet of that River to Choptank
Bay, & that a Meridian Line thereon be run North up to the
Periphery of the 1 2 Miles Circle off New Castle, to answer the
Order of Council in 1685, as the Division Line of the Peninsula
the East side to the Crown, the West side to Maryland. A
Line so Run I apprehend My Lord by such Division of the
Peninsula, will Lose No Patented Land at present und' occu-
pation & with preservation of Navigable Waters on the West
side of the Peninsula up to the Circle off New Castle & this I
mean by offer, as an Expedient to bring the Mess'" Penns to
a Compromise & taking the three Lower Counties they have
no Right to by Express Discription of their Charter How-
ever 'tis a Territory the Lords of Council by their Report to
the King in 1685 deprives Maryland of & the Regal Dicision
Confirm- that order as to Dominion of that part to Maryland
is. Determinable. But of this Propositions & Matter you are
desired to Consider with the Advice of the Council & to make
Report thereof to his Lord?.

Follow^ is a Copy concern*^ the 40"' Degree North Lat: of
Maryland with the Question Propounded & the Resemblance
by Plan of the Province put to the most Emminent & Learned
Counsel in Our Law, with their opinions thereon. The Mary-
land Charter Viz' "From Watkins Point near the River
Wighis on the West unto the Main Ocean on the East & be-
tween that Bound on the South unto that part of Delaware
Bay on the North w*" lieth under the 40"" Degree of Northern
Lat: from the Equinoctial where New England Ends,"

2. "Whether Lord Baltimore has or can claim a Right to
any Lands laying Northward of the Peninsula & of the Bay of
Delaware & Chesopeak & the Bounds as understood at the
time of his Grant within the Grant of Pensilvania now setled
above forty years."

S' Clement Wearg's opinion " That the intent of the King
seems to him he intended Maryland shos"* not extend North
beyond Delaware Bay w*" was then thought to reach the 40""
Degree Lat: This is confirm'd by the Subsequent Grant to
Pensilvania & by the Line Drawn by the Anscestors of Lord
Baltimore.

S' John Wills opinion That it expressly appears by the
Grant — Maryland was not to Extend Northwards beyond the
Isthmus of the Peninsula

S' Philip York's opinion That the Boundaries Described by
Lord Baltimore's Grant must now be understood in the same
manner as they were at the time of making thereof & so con-
sequently that in Case the Extent of Maryland to the North

2 2 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert to be to the 48"' Degree of Northern Lat: yet that 40"^ Degree
Papers, j^^g^ |jg taken to be according to the calculation allow'd at that
time & as it was then Laid down in Maps & Charts Even tho'
that Calculation was Erroneus and what rather convinces me
that Lord Baltimore can claim Nothing to the Northward of
the Peninsula is that the Discription is not to the 40''' Degree
of the Northern Lat: But to that part of Delaware Bay w'' lays
under the 40"' Degree of Northern Lat: Now if Delaware
Bay be Rightly laid down on the Plan laid before me no part
comes near to that Line where by their late observations they
would fix the 40"" Degree of Northern Lat: & therefore that
would not be Northern Boundary intended by the Grant.

In answer of the Charter Stated, Map & Question with the
Counsels Opinion thereupon, It is to be observed. The Map
or Plan of the Province laid before the Counsel is Charted from
no Geographick Authority or has it a Scale &-the North exten-
tion of Delaware Bay by Ancient & Modern Charts is Plan'd
in the Mass Erroneous short NorthW^. The Latin Citation of
the Charter aught to have been before the Counsel & the
Question with Substance sho"^ have been propounded The
Maryland Charter, the words are, " Subjacet quadragessimo
gradni lat Septentr., of w'' words the plain & Obvious meaning
is certainly in translating lieth under the 40"* Degree of North
Lat: These Degrees are measured upon imaginary circles
lying upon the Globe ; and therefore to lye under the 40''' De-
gree is most evidently not to lye under other Degrees exclu-
sive of the 40"' Degree. Further concerning that Degree to
Maryland, The Grant to the Council at Plymouth the words
of that Charter is " from forty Degrees of Northerly Lat: w*"
evidently means that the Lands Granted were to begin under
the 41^' & not under the 40"*' Degree, for then it wo** not have
been from but with or under the 40"" Degree as it is most
Accurately expressed in the Maryland Charter. It cannot
mean that these Lands should begin where the thirty-ninth
Degree ends, because 40 degrees are mention'd ; and thus this
Charter coincides with that of Maryland. If the 40"' Degree
is not Grant'd away by the Maryland Charter, there can offer
not the least pretence for its having been Granted by the New-
England Charter ; it has never been Granted at all. As to the
Pensilvania Charter the South Boundary of that Province is

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 23

Expressive from the 1 2 Miles Circle Northw'^ off New Castle caivert
Town by Delaware Bay & this Charter is Subsequent to the
Maryland Charter. If the Prior Grant is to yeild to the Sub-
sequent w"" S' Clement Wearg's Opinion says, than the North
Line of Maryland is the south Bounds of Pensilvania to the
Meridian Altitude of the Springhead of Potomack River West.
As to the Line he Notes, Drawn by the Ancestors of Lord
Baltimore, "tis a Deception on the Chart that Line was to pre-
vent Mischief until a Boundary Line was adjusted bet: the two
Provinces, the Line was Run but a little way, only where the
Mischief & wrangle had happen'd & the Line is of proof so,
for was that Line Admitt'd, it wo'' prove no Parallel Line to
the 40"" Degree of Lat: on the Contrary a Line of Declination
East & Southw*^ to the Springhead of Potomack River. That
pretended Line was Marked on Trees Agree'd by the Gov' to
serve Purpose, & Not by Consent of the Proprietor of Mary-
land, therefore, whoever Run that Line on the Map was Either
Knave or Novice, & if admitted wo"* ipso facto highly wrong
the Charter & the Province of Maryland in Dominion, North
& by West. And to proceed with reference to Charts, the
North Boundary of Maryland plainly appears is the Parallel of
the 40"^ Degree Lat: w*" had before been laid down by Smith's
Map in 1606 & by the Dutch Chart in 1630 & proves the
South Boundary of New-England, w*" is the North Boundary of
Virginia out from the Latter Maryland was taken. By that
Parallel of Lat: most part of Philadelphia City is 3 Minits
Below the Parallel of the 40"* Degree as laid down by Smith
the Dutch & by Lord Baltimores Map in 1635 these are the
Ancient Charts of them times, Estimat'd & proves the 40"'
Degree agreeable to M' York's opinion. But of this is re-
plyed; On Tryal the opinion of the Court of Chancery deter-
mined not the Crown's Right of the 40"" Degree Lat: nor
Cape Hinlopen nor concern^ the 3 Lower Counties the Divi-
sion Line of the East Shore, the Court determined only the
Private Articles of Agreem' bet: the late Lord & the Mess''
Penns. If Maryland suffers by the private Contract of Agreem'
tis to the want of the late Lord Baltimore's Consideration on
his & her Behalf & the Care was, that matters shos"^ have been
ludiciously offered to the Court w*" was not on the Day of

24 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert Tryal said by all present that the Deficiency in Support of his
Papers. Lqj.(Jps Maryland Cause & the Counsels Plea was apparently
owing to the want of Inst"' Be it so or not, the Courts Opinion
was ag' his Lord? & Confirm^ the Articles of Agreem' the
Question now is Whether Binding on the present Lord &
whether its not best to agree to the Temporary Line to be Run
accords to the Order of his Majesty in Council the 25''' of May
1732 — if so, tho' not Binding on the Crown: the Temporary
Line sho"* be truly Run, w*" at present is not agreeable to the
order i. e. 15 Miles south from Philadelphia City, as the
Boundary Line bet: the two Provinces. Your Judgem' with
the Advice & Opinion of the Council of State on these matters
of importance transmitted, will be of Real Service for adjust^
Affairs. My Lord being Resolved to put an End, if possible
to further Litigation at Law, very Expensive, on him only; on
the Contrary with the Mess"" Penns, said to be Bourn in Pro-
portion, by the People of Pensilvania.

By this occasion, you have the Province Laws from M' Tasker
the President of the Council, When in the seat of Goverm' the
Cause of return is, the perpetual Act of Assembly passed in
the Reign of Queen Anne, for the Annual Support of the Gov'
being put into a folio of Laws as a Loose Paper. Y' Brother
lohn says, the only resourse is to return it with the Laws by
him Authenticated & to have y' Authenticity to it Bound with
the other Laws complete, w^ My Lord desires of you & the
return of them with dispatch; for on Appeal from Maryland,
the Laws are absolute Necessary to the Lords of the Council
& Lords of Trade & Plantation & accord« to His Majesty's
Order of Council for their transmission. M' Taskers pretence
of Doubt, has not giving Authenticity to that Law rises, Qu"^
Whether the Act of 1 704 is not set aside by the late Lord
Proprietors Assent to an Act, Intituled an Act Ascertaining
the Gauge Sc Tare of Tobacco Hogsh"^" "in w'' Act was included
the support of the Gov' & w*" Act continued until 1720. Since
the Expiration a Rediculous Doubt is started by him & others
who craftyly imposed on him, from the Act in 171 7 mention^
the One Shilling on Tobacco Hogsh'^' for the Support of
Goverm' Given by the Act of 1 704. Not that they Doubt the
Act of 1 704 is void to the Crown But to the Lord Proprietor.
The proviso Clause in the Act of 171 7 Recites "That the
Money that shall be raised by the said Duty shall be apply'd
to those Ends & uses for w'' it hath hitherto been raised (Viz')
Twelve pence of the fifthteen pence p' Hogsh'' to the Lord

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 25

Proprietor for the support of Goverm' the remaind' three pence Caivert
for Arms &c" & says "the one shilling p' Hogsh"^ be apply'd p^p="-
to the Station & Dignity of his LordP' Lieu' Gov' residing in
the Province." Therefore say these Politicians, the Proprietor
having Acquiesced to the Annual Support of Goverm' in his
Act of I 7 1 7 tho' inter Al: ab' paym' of his Quit-Rents & of Arms
& Ammunition (the two last concerns being the only real
reasons the Act v\^as made) yet say they by his Assent to the
Act, include the Support of Goverm' on the Expiration of the
said Act, all Support of Goverm' is void to the Proprietor &
he must depend on future Gift thereof, from the Legisladve
Power ad Libitum as to his Lord^ such is M' Taskers & others
Confused Chimerical Ideas, that occasioned his Doubtful trans-
miss" of the Crowns Act in 1 704 with regard to the Lord Pro-
prietor. Usage to his Lord not becoming him nor of the sacred
Authority of the Act, Especially from him, Who was by his
LordP & his Guardians Highly Honoured with the Helem of
Goverm' & took his Quota of the one shilling p' Hogsh'' by
Virtue & in Right by the Royal Act of 1 704. For y'' Better
Information I Briefly State, Extracts of Assembly Acts of &
con^ the support of the Gov' & Goverm' as you'l find Proof of
Recorded in Maryland.

By Virtue of Let'' Patent it is Concived, the Lord Baltimore &
His Heirs were consdtuted & Appointed the Kings Hereditary
Gov'^ of the Province of Maryland: And accordingly the first
Lord Baltimores Either by Themselves, their Depudes or Lieu'
Governors Approved of by the Crown administred the Gover-
ment of that Province from the time of Peopling & setding the
same under the Royal Charter, until the year 1692, at w'' time
on Acco' of the Lord Baldmore & his family being Roman
Catholicks, the Crown was pleased to Appoint & Commission
aGovernor & to do so until the year 171 5, When the then Lord
Baltimore became a Protestant the Power of Appointment of
Lieu' Gov' was restored & rested in him, with the Kings
Approbation.

So Early, as in 1638, 1641, 1642 & 1671. subsidys were
raised by Act of Assembly, for Support of Goverm' until 1692
at w'' dme a Gov' being appointed by the Crown a Perpetual
Law was made — Indtuled an Act for Setdement of an Annual
Revenue upon their Majesty's Gov' for the time being. This
Act continued in Force ull October 1 704, in w** Sessions of
Assembly another Perpetual Act was made — Intituled An Act
for Setdement of an Annual Revenue upon Her Majesty's
Gov' within this Province for the dme being (on w'' Act the
present Application is made) under this Act the Support of

26 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert. Goverm' was raised till 171 6. when the late Lord Baltimore
Papers, ^ssurti'd the Administration of Goverm'. The Assembly then
being convinced by Reason mentioned in the Act, that a Larger
Support for Goverm' than One Shilling was Necessary, In-
tended by that Act to be provided for & to include & Exclude
other matters in the same Act, They did by an Act lay a
Duty of 1 5'' p"' Hogsh'^ instead of 1 2"^ p' hh"* In the Act of 1 704.
By an Act of 1716 w*" Act was Temporary from w** time upon
the Expiration of that Act the Goverm' has been & still con-
tinues to be supported By the Perpetual Act in 1704 — still un-
repeal'd.

So that, the Goverm' being in Possession of & continue to
receive the Duty directed by the said Act of 1704, the only
Question since as I can find was in 1733. By the Lo' House
of Assembly — The comittee in their partial Report recited not
the Preamble of the Act of 1671 . No Notice is taken w'' might
tend to the Honor & lustice of Lord Baltimore's Ancestors,
w*" the Preamble recites Viz' With all Imaginable Gratitude
& Thankfullness for his Lord^' unwearied care & Vast Expences
& Charges w*" his Lord^ had been put from his first Seating
his Lordp' Province unto that Instant meerly to preserve them
with Enjoym' of their Lives & Liberties with Encrease of their
Estates & Fortunes & for the conservation of all Societies.
The Charge of Every Goverment without which it cannot
Subsist ought in Reason to be bourn by those whose conser-
vation depend upon the Goverment for and towards defraying
the many Great & Necessary Expences &c.

And by w*" Act Intituled an Act for Raising & Providing a
Support his LordP the Lord Proprietor of this Province (in
lieu of his Rents &c) during his Natural Life & likewise (in-
certed) a Supply towards the Defraying the Public Charges of
Goverm'. These Grateful Ancestors their Desendants take
No Notice of the Benefits their forefathers had rec'' from the
i" Proprietor, only in their Report recite, several Temporary
Acts for support of Goverment During the Administration by
Lord Baltimores Ancestors — And then recite An Act made in
1692 when M' Copley was Gov' soley under the Crown, w""
Act the Report possitively Asserts to have been continued as
a Law of this Province by a Gen' Assembly the 28''' of June
the 11"' of W" the 3'' in 1699" And from the Strength of that
Asscertion diis inference is made by that Report "That by
the frequent continuance & Re-Enacting the said Act of 1692
During the time wherein the Goverm' & Protection of the
Province was in the Crown The Legislature did not Deem
the same or any of them perpetual — But to have a Duration
only with such Gov' & Goverm'

Be pleased to observe — i" the Act of 1692 for a Settlem'

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 27

of an Annual Revenue upon their Majesty's Gov"' &c is By the p^'''^"'
very Terms a Perpetual Law without Limitation of Time or ^^^"'
Duration Whatsover. That it could never be understood to
have duration only with such Gov' or Goverm'. The Act made
in 1692 when M' Copley was Gov"' who Died in Sep"' 1693. It
continued in force his Goverm' & during the Presidentship of
Col: Greenbury then again in the Goverm' of S' Edmund Andros,
The President^ of S' Tho' Lawrence & the Goverm* of Col:
Nicholson so that it continued from 1693 to 1698. And the
Act of 1699 mention'd in the Report was made in the 1"
year of the Goverm' of Col: Blackiston. Therefore the said
Inferance made by the Report is from a Supposed frequent
continuance & re-enacting the said Act of 1692. Whereas
Only one Continuance & as to re-enact^ is Alledgcd, Viz' that
of 1699. Moreover to put this point beyond dispute. The
Act of 1699 was Dissented to by King William, Notwithstand^
w*" the Act of 1692 as it continued in force before the Act of
1699 & the Support of Goverm' was raised thereby during the
Goverm' of M'' Copley &c as before mentioned in the Reigns
of W"" & Mary & K. William So after the Dissent of the
Act 1699 the Support of Goverm' was raised by the Act of
1692 during the Goverm' of Col. Blackiston. The President^
of M'' Tench & part of the Goverm' of Col: Seymour from the
time of his coming to the Goverm' to the time of making the
aforesaid perpetual Law of 1704.

(Vide the Dissent & Lef April the 4"" 1 700 from the Council
at Annapolis)

The next observation made by the Cornittee in their Report
is, " That it was the sense of the Legislature, That Acts grant^
to the Prop"''' for the Support of his Goverm' did not Extend to
that of the King as they said was mainifested in the Act of
1692; that of 1676 being still unreapealed & having expresly
its Duration with the Life of Charles Lord Baltimore Lord
Proprietary of this Province " The meaning of this is that Act
made for support of Lord Baltimore's Goverm' cannot be Ex-
tended to, or be Suffient to raise a Support for his Majesty's
Goverm'. This may be very true, and yet it will not follow
from thence, that Acts made for the Support of his Majesty's
Goverm' will not be Sufficient for the Support of Goverm' of
w*" Lord Baltimore by himself or his Deputy Gov'' has the
Administration for in the one Case, the whole Cause or Pur-
pose for w'' such Act is made (Id Est) for Support of the Lord
Baltimore's Goverm' is intierly gone & Ceases upon the Kings
taking to himself the Goverm' But in the other case, the
whole Cause or purpose for w*' such Act is made (Id Est) for
Support of the King's Goverm' does not Cease upon Lord
Baltimore being again Admitted to the Administration of such

2 8 Correspotide7ice of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert Govermcnt For Lord Baltimore is but his Majesty's Heredi-
Papers. ^^^^ Qov"' and at most has but the Utile Dominum. So that
it will always be the Kings Goverm' & Consequently intended
to be & Provided for by any Act raising a Support for his
Majesty's Goverment, In whatsoever hands the Administra-
tion is.

The next thing concluded by the Comittee is, "That when
the Goverm' was restored to the Lord Proprietor the Act of
Gauge & Tare was made for Support of his Lordf" Goverm' &
the other uses therein Expressed." It is certain the aforesaid
Act Intituled An Act Ascertaining the Gauge & Tare of
Tobacco Hogsh*^' was made after Lord Baltimore was Admitted
to the Administration of the Goverm' and by that Act a Sup-
port of Goverm' was raised But upon Perusal of that Act It
cannot appear or be suggested, that that Act was made upon an
opinion or ludgem' that the Act of 1 704 Did not provide for
the support of the Gov' as far as it went. But the true Reason
of making such Act seems to be, Because the Assembly for the
Reasons menf* In that Act ludged it Necessary to Increase
the Support of Goverm' from 1 2*^ to i ^*- p'' Hogsh"^ and also
were desirous to loyn the composition and Agreem' of the
country with his Lord? for his Quit-Rents & Alenation fines
&c as well as the Gauge & Tare of Tobacco Hogsh"* in the
same Act.

The Report mentions "That by what Acts appear to them
at all times made for the Support of his Lord^" Goverm' &c.
the same has been loined with a consideration for his Quit-
Rents & Alienation fines & w*" made it appeai to the comittee
that the Legislators always deemed their Granting towards the
support of his Lord^' Goverm' as a Mixed Consideration not
only for that Particular use but towards a Compensation of the
others likewise" What Acts did or did not Appear to them
is Immaterial But the Fact w*" is Endeavoured to be insinuated
of a Mixed Consideration in such Acts is false. For by the
Act made in 1638 Intituled "An Act Ordaining certain Laws
for the Goverm' of this Province " Also another Act made in
1 641 Intituled An Act for Grant^ of one Shilling and by another
Act made made in 1642 Intituled "An Act for support of
Goverm" These were Dutys laid for Support of Goverm'
with' any other Consideration than Gratitude to the Lord Pro-
prietor for His Great Charge & care w'' his Lord^ had been put
in Maintain^ the Goverm' & Protect" the Inhabitants in their
Persons Rights & Liberties &c. as Expressed in the said Act
of 1 64 1, with' Inference of a Mixed Consideration Suggested
in the Report. It seems as if the Comittee imagined the
Goverm' when Administred by the Lord Baltimore or his
Deputys ought not to be supported Unless his Lord^ wo'^ make

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 29

some Composition or Agreem' with his Tenants in paym' of their Calvert
Quit-Rent &c. But it is presumed His Majesty will not suffer ^^P*"-
the Goverm' of any Part of his Dominions to be left Destitute
or Deprived of a Support for such reasons.

Upon the whole It appears by all the Acts made for the
Support of Goverm' since 1661 that no less but sometimes
more than One Shilling p' hh'' has been thought a reasonable
& Necessary Support of Goverm' And Even the Lo' House
who made this Application by Bill sent from them to the Upp"'
House Did ludge One shilling proper for such support of the
Dignity of the Gov' So that no Objection can be made to the
Expectations of the Goverm' of Maryland as to the Quantum
of the Support.

And further the Lo: House of Assembly in March 1732/3
were then Apprised of this Act of 1 704 & that the Goverm' of
Maryland wo"* relye on that Act for a Support If that Goverm'
sho'' not by another Perpetual Law Equally well at least Sup-
ported. For in that Sessions a Temporary Bill for Support of
Goverm' was sent from the then Lo: House to the Upp"^ who
Return'd the Bill to the Lo: House with two (amongst other)
Amendm" to this Effect Viz' To add a Clause to Repeal the
said Perpetual Law of 1 704 & to leave out the Temporary
Duration of the Bill by w*" means It would be perpetual " But
the Lo: House did not proceed any further in that Bill or
Amend" & so the Bill drop'd. Notwithstanding w'' Notice
of this Act & the Matter Debated, No Opposition (as I am
informed) ever since (till now Suggested) has been made to
the Act of 1 704. But the same has been always Acquiessed
in & the Duty constantly paid under it as every Merch' in
Maryland & that Trades to the Province is well know^ thereof
& can Testifye. Which Behaviour of the Assembly & people
of Maryland (It is apprehended) Sufficiendy testifies their
Approbation & Consent to the Force & Effect of the Act of
1704. And of further Proof of the same & opinion of the
Assembly in 1734 that the Act of 1704 was Sufficiendy in force
It is to be Observed, That during the time the Administration
of the Goverm' was immediately under the Crown & whilest
it was Supported by the said Act of 1704 3'' p"' Hogsh'* was
raised for the Necessary Charges of the Goverm' which Neces-
sary charges by Subsequent Acts were Explained & the 3''
raised thereby was appropriated for a Magazine & to Provide
Arms & Ammunition. The same 3'^ was raised also from the
time of his late Lord"" having the Administration of the Goverm'
by the same Temporary Acts w*" raised a Support for Goverm'
& a Composition for his Lord^' Quit-Rents & Alienation Fines,
That Composidon ceasing in Sep"' 1733. The Assembly held
in 1 737 made an Act to raise the 3"^ with' making any menrion

30 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert of Provision for the support of Goverm' being as presumed well
apers. g^jjgfyg^j^ j]^g ^^^ ^f j ^q^ ^^s \^ Force & Effectual for that
Purpose.

I shall now conclude, my short Narrative of the Rise, Birth,
& being & Progress of the several Acts of Assembly, to the
Act of 1704, For the Support of his Majesty's Gov' The
Right of the Act of 1 704 is so undeniable Apparent with the
Crown & with Lord Baltimore as His Majesty's Hereditary
Gov' of Maryland, Its Quality is unto a Diamond not to be
altered but by its own Power, w"" it has not as yet rece"* There-
fore cannot want your Authenticity to the King & the Lord
Proprietor as an Act of the Province & By w*" the Present
Support of the Gov' is raised. Y' good sence will excuse My
freedom of Reasoning occasion'd by impartial Notice of things,
the Duty of My Office, & to put you on y' Guard ag' Attempts
in prejudice to the Lord Proprietors Property & of the Support
of Goverm' wish"^ you a Happy ludgem' in all things.

My Lord wishes the Compledon of the Gov" House, hopes
the Assembly will find means to finish their work, Espiciallyas
requisite Luster to the Province, when finished will not want
his valuable Gift. My Comiss" as Provincial Sec^ impowers
Me with the Appointm' of the County Clerks. Having made
known to the Proprietor M' Comiss^ Dulany's request on the
Death of M' James Smith Clerk of Kent County prays the
favour of his son Dennis Dulany in Succession to that Clerk-
ship, My Lord approv^ I desire you'l Cause to be Entered a
Mem"^"" in My Office as my order & Appointm' that M' Dennis
Dulany be Comiss"^ accords'^ Clerk on Demise of M' James
Smith The Rev'* M' Harris in My Lords Inst"' gives me con-
cern his notorious Badness, said Fogery bringing him under his
LordP' high displeasure w'' can't by him be retrived But by
recomd" to My Lord on his Behalf from the Body of the
Provincial Clergy. My Lord sends M' Sam' Chew his Comp*^
for his obliging Let'

On Conclusion, I've y' Packet By Cap' Chew with y" of the
jst g^ 5th Qf Aug' last, -y' Request ab' M' Ridout, you may
depend of all Service in my power on vacancy & the Crown's
cont= the Officer of Customs at Chester. His LordP wo"* have
been well-pleased, had My Plan for Receipt of his Quit-Rents
been Completed. He thanks you for the Reduction in part 5
p' C & depends on y' Service of the rem''' 5 p' C taken off
the Farmers two years hence, the Expiration of their Contracts,
& at w'' time, he hopes the Sheriffs will be the Collectors of
that part of his Revenue, accord^ to My Scheme delivered. He
desires Quick dispatch of his Rentals, will Esteem it Obliga-
tory, do not fail.

Y' Speech in y" of the (>*" his LordP Approves & is pleased

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 31

with the Houses Answers, Polite. Approves of y'' design by Caivert
Bill from M' Attor'' Gen' to restore his Property in Princess p^"?^"-
Anne Town, taken by an Act in 1751, also of Y Aniendm' to
an Act of the same Session For the more Effectual punishm'
of Negroes & other Slaves &c Comen'^^ y' Endeavour &
hopes you'l succed & obtain the 3'' p' hh'' for Arms & Ammu-
nition. By these y' Transactions, you Manifest observance to
his LordP" Inst"' Artie: 19"' 68 & 69. Y' Favour for the
Rev'' M' Malcolm, granted in his LordP' Inst"^ I wish him
loy of I can't help Noting omission of Persons want of
Regard of Thanks to My Lord for favours from him, many
of the Council of State have Neglected such Acknowledgem'
By observation, the Gentl"of the Lo: House are too Hasty in
their proceed^' My Lord Desires upon Division Proposition by
Bill of Ecclesiastical Benefices, you will Consider & recomend
to the Upp: House prevention of Divisions un-Necessary & to
preserve valuable Benefice as Reward to Divines of peculiar
Merit.

May all Health & Happiness attend you, is the Sincere
Wish of him who is with all reality

Y"
CsecIP Calvert.

Pos' As it- is not likely of a Comprimise bet: his Lord^ &
the Mess'" Penns, I therefore Aprise you to be on y"" Guard &
to keep strictly to his Majestys Order of Council of the Tem-
porary Line North Lat: I observe by a sketch of M"' Vezey to
M' lennings a Large Pensilvanian Settlem' South of that Line
at the Head of Talbot Manor O'^ if not taken out of that
Manor. & also to be observed two Maryland Settlem'" East
& West above that Line. M' Tho' Penn who is Dexterous,
charges Land Grants have been Issued by Maryland contrary
to the Order of the Kings Line. He produced Me one with a
Seal to it, he said had from the Land Office to M"' Diggs, the
New part of the Grant, he says are Lands Patented since the
Kings Order for the Line North, w'' Lands had been Granted
to another by his Land Office Prior to his Majesty's said order
of Council. Such matter deserves attention to prevent Mis-
chief & Danger the Touching the Kings Limitation. All old
surveys. Grants of Manors & of other Lands by the first &
second Proprietors Lay^ in out or on the Borders of the Dis-
puted parts wo'' be of real use the having a Tested Copys of
such, as they are Evidences of Ancient Tenure; the same of
all ancient proceed^" Viz' The Virginia Act ab' the year 1659
w'' impowered two Persons to take care of the Kings Lands
Northw'' of the 40"" Degree Lat: w'' that Assembly as having
the most reason of any Colony to be Acquanted with the real

32 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert Limits of Maryland & that Act was made known to Lord Balti-
Papers. jj^Qj-g i^ 1659 & it wo*^ be proper to get the Surveyors Proceed^'
thereupon deHvered to the R' Hon''^ Francis Lord Effingham
Gov' & to the Council of Virginia; these you can get from Vir-
ginia. And also transmit Lord Baltimore's Demand of Sub-
jection to his Charter the People of Delaware up a long that
Bay to the Northw'' of New Castle Town & the observations
taken in New Casde sent to Col: Francies Louelace Gov' of
New York taken the 9''' & 26''' of Ocf 1669, these with others
on the Records of Maryland properly Authenticated, will be of
Great Utility as proper Supports of his Lord^' Cause & y'
Early transmission of them is Desired.

Original. [H. Campbell to Sharpe.]

Sir
. I shoud not have assurance to address you in this way with-
out the enclosd to introduce me, as tis only the friendship &
intimacy which subsists betwixt my Brother & you, can give
me any tide to ask a favour of you I know the purport of his
letter is beging your Countnance & good offices, in favour
of M' George Wightman a Scotch Gentilman now in Mary-
land, who went to that Country as a prarener & instructor in
the mercandle way, to a sone of mine, who is now cald home
on his friends finding that trade did not turn out in that part
of the world as they expected, his partener M'' Wightman is
still there & will be for some months yet, to wind up there
matters in the best way posible your favourable notice of him,
may be of great service to my boyes little matters in that
Country, & I hope at your friend Glencairns request youll be
so good as give it him & if you woud not think me too im-
portunat or rather imperdnat in this my first adress I would
beg an other favour & that is your Countinass to one Capt
Brown a Scotch man too, who Livs & has a family in Mary
Land, he sails often to London & brought home my sone a
few weeks ago, the many Civilitys he showd my young man
dureing his Residence in that Country obliges me to wish I
coud make some return to them, & as I can no otherwise pro-
pose to discharge that debt, but by the good offices, of Govern-
our Sharp if there be occasion for them, I hope he will not
deny them, if you sir finde it not inconvenient to grant me
these requests I shall ever retain a very gratfull sence of your
goodness & am with high regard
Sir

your obliged humble
Edinr Jan' 29"' 1754 Serv' H. Campbell

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 33

[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.] Original.

W"sburg Virg'"" lan^ 29''' 1754
Sir

Your kind Assurances of Cooperating with me in the com-
mon Cause for his Majesties Service gave me such Pleasure,
as a Zeal like that which inspired them ought to give ; and I
now Address your Excellency the more chearfully, as I am per-
swaded of your Promptitude to contribute effectually to it,
The Progress of the French and their avowed Designs make
it necessary for me to apply for your Assistance and that the
Men you can furnish may join our People as early as Possible
in March, at a Place called Wills Creek, on the Head of Patow-
mack, which I have chosen for the Rendezvous, believing it to
be the most convenient to all the Colonies of any that is near
the scene of Action. The French have fortifyed themselves
on Lake Erie, and on a Branch of the Ohio, and have 220
Canoes ready made, and a great many more blocked out, and
everything in Readiness to execute their Design of falling
down the River when the Waters serve in the Spring, and
building Forts at every Place of Consequence. The Fort my
Messenger was at mounted erght Pieces of Cannon six
pounders, and was garrisoned with 150 Men, and they have
already engaged the Chippoways, Ottoways and Orundacks to
take up the Hatchet against the English, and themselves have
Seized the Effects of his Majesty's Subjects who were Settled
there & made Prisoners of their Persons. How they justify this
Conduct your Excellency will see by the Inclosed Letter from
their Commandant to me.

I think it wou'd very much conduce to the Success of the
Service that the Command shou'd be undivided & therefore I
shou'd be very glad of your Concurrance with my Sentiments,
and that the Men you furnish might be put under the Com-
mand of my General Officer. I expect to meet our Assembly
the 14th: of next Month, when I hope to be enabled to enter
on more Vigorous Measures ; at Present I have ordered out a
Detachment from the Militia to cover the Works that are
.carrying on at our Fort on the Ohio, and shall with all Dis-
patch furnish them with the Stores & other necessaries for its
completion But as the French intend to be upon the Ohio early
in the Spring with a greater Force than they had in the Fall
which then consisted of 1500 Men it will be of the last conse-
quence to have a sufficient Strength there early to oppose
them, and the present Temper of the Indians increases the
necessity, as they seem to defer coming to Action 'till they see
us at their Backs to support 'em & I am perswaded that they
then will Act honestly and effectually. Otherwise it is appa-
rent to me that they will be lost to the British Interest as their

34 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Situation & the Genius of that People will lead them to join
with the strongest Side.

Sir

Since writing the above I receiv'd yours of the 26th: Decem-
ber and am mighty glad of the Hopes you have that your
Assembly will enable you to raise Men for the Support of his
Majesty's undoubted right to the Lands on the Ohio and at
the same Time to protect these Colonies from the Insolence of
those that want to disturb our Peace; an answer to this by the
Bearer will greatly Oblige

Your Excels
Most Obed' Hum"= Serv'

Rob' Dinwiddle

Original. [Caecilius Calvert to Sharpe.]

London Feb'^>' 2^ 1754^
Dear Sir

Inclosed is by the Bearer M' Meyer's an Instruction by way
of Testimonial from My Lord, for his Induction in the Province
into Church Benefice ; he is a young Divine Educated and
Instituted at Cambridge University, where he finished his
Studies with good Erudition & fair Character ; his Father is an
Honest Clergyman in Yorkshire near M' Crowe my Brother
in Law, your Favour to him we shall much Esteem.

I have received from M' Thomas Penn The Report of the
Commissioners appointed by the Governor of Pensilvania to
Run the Temporary Line between that Province and Mary-
land, and in pursuance of His Majesty's order of Council the
25''' of May 1738. I find by the Report that on Saturday the
5"' of May 1739 "The Commissioners & Surveyors proceeded
" on the Line which was set off at the End of the half mile
" North & run the same to the Western Bank of Susquehannah
" to an Hickery Tree which was mark'd with 4 Notches on
" each side to be Temporary Limits between the two Provinces
" on the West side of Susquehannah ; should begin at that
" Hickery Tree so mark'd to extend to the River Potomack
" as should be necessary for the Peace of both Provinces ;
" which Division Line had it's Commencement from the South
" side of a Run in a Tract said to be the London Company's
" unto a Chesnut Oak of the East side of Susquehannah River,
" South 15 miles & a quarter from the South part of the City
" of Philadelphia &c.

That Sunday the 6'*' of May, the Maryland Commissioners
M' Gale & M' Chamberlaine informed the Pensilvania Com-
missioners viz' One by reason of his Loss of his son & Illness

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 35

of his Family being in great Distress on the occasion proposed
an Adjournment, tlie other would not proceed but in Junction
with him ; thereupon the Commissioners on both sides parted,
of which the Commissioners of Pensilvania wrote word to their
Governor, who sent them another Commissioner and they pro-
ceeded Exparte & continued the West Line so run to the
mark'd Hickery Tree of the West of Susquehannah & extend-
ing it about 80 Miles towards the Meridian of the Fountain of
Potomack. 130'^154

Now the Remark is, whether the Additional Line run Ex-
parte by them from the Hickery Tree West of Susquehannah,
is a true fair Line according to His Majesty's order of Council,
and the Propositions therein contained & agreed by the Pro-
prietors by Consent of His Majesty, with the Advice of His
Privy Council, to approve of the said Agreement between the
Proprietors of the respective Provinces of Maryland & Pensil-
vania, thereby ordered to be carried into Execution, whereof
the said Proprietors &c. are to take notice & Govern them-
selves accordingly.

His Lordship informs me to acquaint you, that he desires &
requires of you without Loss of time to make Authentick
Return to him of the Commissioners of Maryland's Report for
the Run of the Temporary Line how far they proceeded with
the Pensilvania Commissioners in pursuance of His Majesty's
order of Council of the 25"' of May 1 738, also of the Additional
Line Exparte run by the Commissioners of Pensilvania ; and
that you will, in Case not truely laid down, take measures to
adjust the same with Pensilvania, so far as the Peace of Gov-
ernment shall make it necessary, and in Obedience to His
Majesty's order of Council for that purpose.
I am with the greatest Respect

Your truly obedient Servant
Caecil" Calvert

Post. The inclosed Bill for Pari' will be in the Commons
next week, it having been moved by Petition to bring it in, to
w'' the House has given Consent. The Affair of M' Bradstreet
is quiet, so you need not to have any uneasyness at what I
wrote you thereupon the 5''' of Jan^ last. M' Jenings who is
here is seldom seen, he resides far in the City, he has dined
once with my Lord, how his situation in respect to Maryl'' is to
end I can't as yet say, tis said he has sent to Ripon in York-
shire to get his house ready he designing to settle there intirely.
I shou*^ be glad to know of you who is proper to succeed him
as my Deputy with half the proffits to be paid me half yearly
on his Coresp' in London — The Mess'^ Penn have brought no
Bill of Revision 'tis generaly thought they are wiUing of an

36 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Amicable Agreem' but of this I can write nothing of they are
so close. My Lord Desires you will remember him of his
Rent Rolls by the return of Them he is quite uneasy not
having Them

To His Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq'

arpe to Baltimo
Feb'' 10 1754.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Baltimore.]

p. 19

My Lord

I do myself the honour to express my gratefulness for the
extreem pleasure I received from being informed of your Ldp's
kind wishes toward me & to acquaint your Ldp with the
decease of M' Young one of the fudges of the Land Office
which Accident I thought had given me an opportunity of
serving two of the Gent" to whom your Ldp's Recommenda-
tion as well as my own inclination obliged me to give the
preference As soon as M"" Young's growing indisposition
deprived us of all hopes of his Recovery I made the proposal
to M' Calvert of succeeding him, not imagining He would
have been at all averse to dividing the Office w'*" M' Steuart who
on account of the other Judges incapacity to attend has hitherto
Transacted the whole Business for the consideration of one
Third of the Income. Such an increase of his Profits in the
Land Office I thought would be some reward for his faithfull
Services & make him readily resign a Place which He has
enjoyed in the Paper Currency Office of 80^ -p Ann. With
which I intended to make some Provision for M' Young's Son
whose name your Ldp was pleased to insert among those
Gent" who are favored with a particular Recommendation, but
p. 20 my hopes of serving more than one of your Ldp's Friends at
this time were frustrated by M' Calverts refusing to accept the
Office on any such terms as I proposed, which made me decline
taking any Step in this affair & to avoid all possibility of giving
offence have ordered M' Steuart to attend the Duty of the
Office as He did during M' Young's Life till I can learn your
Ldp's pleasure for the disposal of a place of so great Trust &
Importance.

Y"^ Ldp will do me the honour to pay my best Respects
to Her Ladsp. & to beleive me y' Ldp mo devoted & fno
obed' hble Serv' H. S.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

lo"" of Feb'' 1754. transmitted by Capt: Etherington
Sir

To prevent any ill consequence that might be occasioned by
the miscarriage of some Letters to you dated in Dec' I have

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 37

taken this opportunity of transmitting Copies of them as also Letter Bk. i.
of a Proclamation issued by the Order of the late Ld Proprietary
which the Gent" of the Council thought it might be proper to
submit to His Ldp's perusal & wait his answer before obedience
to Col° Lloyd's Instruction for requiring an Alienation Fine
upon every Devise be insisted on if His Ldp should be pleased
to confirm that Instruction of Col° Lloyd's perhaps you will not
think it improper to defer putting it in Execution for a year or p- 2>
two till we can get the fees arising from Innholder Licences
(which amount to a very considerable Sum annually) appro-
priated to the Proprietary's use. The impracticability of
advancing the Quit Rents to Ten Shillings a Hundred Acres
Col" Lloyd has so fully acquainted You with that I presume it
would be superfluous for me to enlarge on that Topick or on
the inconveniences that must follow a Refusal of Land to
those who will not oblige Themselves to settle a certain number
of Persons on it within a time specified, while Land in Virginia
can be procured on much easier Terms than it is in Maryland
at present granted. That the Proprietors of Pensilvania pro-
cure such an advanced Price for their Land as was mentioned
in His Ldp's Instructions I find has been owing to their per-
mitting the Germans who were prevailed on at the first Settle-
ment of that Province to import themselves continually in very
large numbers to settle on & cultivate what Land they pleased,
but as their possessions were not secured to Them by patent,
when considerable improvements had been made, in 1732 or
thereabouts the Proprietaries made the demand of about ^^9
S^ Caution money & ^4: i' Quit Rent which rather than relin-
quish their cultivated Plantations, the Possessors submitted to
pay tho much disatisfied thereat; & that People will take up
Land in Pensilvania at so high a Rate at this time must be
accounted for from its being rendered much more valuable
than any in Maryland by the great Demand for its Produce p. 22
which is owing to the vast increase of Inhabitants as well as
the surprising Exportation from Philadelphia.

M' Taskers Reasons for having disposed of His Ldp's Land
at so low a Rate you will see in his Answer to a Letf which in
pursuance of my Instructions I sent Him on that affair.

On consulting with the Gent" of the Council, whether it
would be proper to issue such Proclamation, as would prevent
the Possessors of Surplusage Lands contained in former Sur-
veys, procuring Grants of such Land, unless they would make
discovery of & take out Patent for the same within a certain
limitted time, I was advised to postpone it till His Ldp could
be informed that many Persons induced heretofore by similar
Proclamations after the elapse of such limitted time, made dis-
covery of Surplusage Lands, expecting one third of the Land

38 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. SO discovered according to the Conditions proposed in the
Proclamation, but were disappointed by the Attorney General's
(M' Delany) being obliged to drop many Bills which He
had filed in Chancery for the Recovery of such Surplusage ;
the Alienation of the Original Tract (w'='' was laid out by metes
& Bounds & not by Course & Distance) in numerous Parcells,
making it impossible to decree from which & in what manner
the Surplusage should be taken ; besides the People at present
p. 23 in many Counties appear so earnest in removing all possibility
of Dispute about the Land they are in possession of that there
seems no great need of a Proclamation to incite Them to apply
for Warrants of Resurvey.

By the Constant Cultivation of Tobacco which in its nature
impoverishes Land in an extraordinary degree His Ldp's
Manours will receive great detriment if we cannot fall on some
method to prevent it by inserting in the Leases some penal
Clause whereby the Tenants may be restrained to planting
only a certain number of Acres the three last years of their
Term, unless they will renew their Lease so long before its
expiration but as I am forbid by my Instructions to set the
Manours for a longer Term than 21 years I could not propose
putting any thing of this Sort in execution till I shall be
favoured with His Ldp's farther Commands.

The Laws passed last Session are yet in the Press, but I
have sent Copies of the journals of both Houses & of two Bills
which the Lower House had prepared, but referred to the
Consideration of next Session, when I beleive they will be
pushed with some Earnestness, that for the Regulation of the
Clergy was occasioned by the scandalous Behaviour of some
of that Rank, over whom His Ldp may think proper to exert
his Authority, lest the Example of their Lives should lessen the
p. 24 influence of the whole Order; at this time one Parson Cook
after escaping with great difficulty the fate of a Murtherer
receives as punctually his 30 p"^ Poll in Prison as if he was duly
attending the Duty of his function, such Instances as this I shall
endeavour to prevent for the future by taking Bonds for good
Behaviour from the Clergy before Presentation — in that other
Bill " for preventing the farther growth of Popery" I am per-
suaded many things will appear to you somewhat extravagant;
but I should be glad to receive your Advice what notice I
might take of a more moderate Bill if offered respecting Per-
sons of that profession.

A Lett' from the Lords of Trade commanding us as well
as the neighbouring Colonies to send Commissioners to a
Treaty with the Indians at Albany this Summer had occasioned
my summoning the Assembly in May, to grant the Commiss'
an Allowance for their Expences and a present for those Indian

Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe. 39

Allies ; but on the receipt of a Letter from the Gov' of Virginia Letter Bk. i.
which you have inclosed by the Advice of the Council I have
issued Proclamation for them to meet the 25"" Inst.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

as time would only permit me in my last to acknowledge
the receipt of your favour of the 29''' of August I take this p. 25
opportunity of returning my hearty thanks for your kind Ex-
pressions to me & of assuring you that I shall always receive
the greatest pleasure in paying the most strict obedience when-
ever I am honoured with Yours or His Ldp's Commands
The Rent Rolls are prepareing as expeditiously as possible &
I have desired M' Tasker to send me the Persons concerned
in stating the Case concerning the disputed Boundaries after
I can get the Evidences authenticated I will transmit them by
the first opportunity.

I have writ to His Ldp to acquaint him with the Decease of
M' Young one of the ludges of the Land Office, whom I
thought M' Calvert would have no objection to succeed & to
divide the Profits of the Office w'** M' Steuart, who by what I
can learn has been truly faithful in the Execution of his Duty,
& would have enabled me by resigning a Place which he holds
in the Paper Currency Office, to make some provision for M'
Young's Son, whom at M' Speakers Request His Ldp was
pleased to recommend: M' Calverts refusal of submitting to
any such Division, has made me decline nominating any Person
in M' Young's room till I can learn His Ldp's & your pleasure
concerning this Affair.

I have Inclosed a Bill of Exchange \oo^ for your use & £2^ p. 26
which I procured according to y"^ Desire.

You will please to give me Instructions for the Disposal of
the Money arising in the Land Office during the Vacancy.

FDinwiddie to Sharpe.l Lower

■- ^ -■ House

Williamsburg ffebruary 23'' 1754 Journal,

I Received the Favour of Your Letter of the 10"* Curr' and
observe your Assembly were to meet the 25''' and hope they
Will chearfully aid the Intended Expedition against the Enemies
of our Country.

I prorogued our Assembly this Day they have given 10,000^
this money for the Support of his Majesty's Right to the Lands
on the Ohio in Consequence thereof I design immediatly to
raise ffive or Six Companies of men to march to Will's Creek

40 Correspo7idence of Governor Sharpe.

Lower With all prudent Expedition, but I dread their being there so
To"maT ^^^'^ ^^ ^ formerly Wrote you, but I hope they Will be Early
1750-54 in April and should be Glad Your Forces could be there at the
Same Time.

I have Wrote to the Cherokees and Catawbas Nations of
Indians to the Southw*^ of this, Who some months ago offered
a Body of a 1000 of their Warriors to go to the Ohio. I have
by Express ordered their Marching to the Ohio to defend their
Hunting Grounds and that they should be Supported by
Forces from this which if they Comply with, I am in hopes we
shall make some Figure there.

I have Thirty Cannon from the Crown, Ten whereof I have
ordered out to be mounted on the ffort to be erected on the
Ohio. In May next I shall proceed to Winchester to meet the
Chiefs of Several Nations of Indians and to deliver them a
present from his Majesty.

If I can be of any Service to you or the Colony (happy)
under your Command, I shall chearfully Receive your Dlrec-
■ tions and am With great Sincerity
The Inclosed Proc' your Excell^'

will be General to all most obedient H"= Serv'

the fforces. Rob' Dinwiddle

Original. [Calvert to Sharpe.]

London March 2f 1754
Dear Sir/

I have but time by the Bearer M' laque's to acknowledge
the Arrival of your Letters, Papers, & the Addresses of Assem-
bly &c. To all which you will receive Answers as soon as
possible. The Deficiency of your Answer To the Earl of
Holdernesse Secretary of State's Letter to you, inclosing none
to My Lord nor me makes it awkard how to attend him; To
amend which you must make a Return to the Secretary under
a loose Seal to My Lord, in reference to His Majesty's Com-
mands; Besides your Copy of Message in Consequence of
the Secretary's Letter laid by you before the Lower House of
Assembly having neither Date nor your Name to it, The Pro-
prietor can't produce it — The last Paragraph in the Reply of
the Lower House to your Message, Sign'd P. Hammond
Speaker, Equivocaly denys the Law of 1 704 i. e. The 1 2^ p
Hogshead for the Support of Government, yet offers at a
Deduction of three pence -p Hogshead out of the 1 2^ for Arms
& Ammunition, no ways warranted by the Tenor of the Law
of 1704; But under frivolous Pretence that of Queen Anne's,
which bears no proportion now, the Tobacco Hogshead greatly
exceeding in Gauge at this time, than at the time when Her

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 41

Majesty's Instruction was Sent; The extravagant Bulge of the
Hogshead has greatly lessen'd the Number of Hogsheads arid
thereby Diminished the Support of Government; And The
Lower House was so Sensible of this Reduction of the number
of Tobacco Hogsheads, that at a Sessions of Assembly held
the 28''' of May 171 7 It was Enacted in an Act "ascertaining
the Gauge & Tare of Tobacco Hogsheads,"

Section S'*" viz' Fifteen pence per Hogshead instead of
Twelve pence. And the Proviso for Application was Twelve
pence to the Lord Proprietor for the Support of Government,
& the remaining Three pence, for the purchasing Arms &
Ammunition, for the better Defence of the Province &c. The
Act of 1704 I have Exemplify'd to you in mine of the 5"" of
January last. This Act belonging to the Crown, therefore to
the Proprietor ; they are sensible a Tryal here to destroy it
would not avail before the King. Their Doctrine mention'd in
their Address to you, how feeble is the Sense of the House,
viz' That the abovemention'd Act could not continue longer
than during the time the Government of this Province was in
the Crown. The Act was Enacted a Perpetuity To the
Crown's Heirs and Successors. — ^Therefore To the Proprietors
of Maryland, the Crown's Hereditary Governors of the Province,
In Possession by the Approbation of the Crown, St to whom
the Crown has Delegated all its Powers. — Therefore the Act
is out of the Assembly's Reach. — But under a seeming spacious
Pretence they now try to purloin Threepence out of the
Twelve pence -p Hogshead for Support of Government, so by
Additional Reduction to the Loss from the increase of the
Diameter of the Hogshead, they think Craft may prevail to
really impoverish the Support of Government; for that's the
Aim. — However you are too sensible & the Upper House, as
not to support the Crown's & Proprietor's Dignity against
Loss by Leveller's Principals.

The Lord Proprietor has Accepted your Recommendation
of M' Dulany to be joindy in Commission with M' Tasker as
Commissary General. You'l receive it by Instruction.

My Lord's uneasyness on Account of no Return of his Rent
Rolls, obliges me to mention as I have often done, the Return
of them & of which I hope it will not be long, and that you
will take Care that they be truly & fairly at Large compiled in
Books well Supported in Law, properly Authenticated from
His Offices from the dates of Patents Register'd as to all Land-
Holders, Attested by the Offices Seals, Deliver'd under Oath
subscribed by the Officers in Office, & attested by good &
sufficient witnesses.

M' Pelham Chancellor of the Exchequer & first Commis-

42 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

sioner of the Treasury is Dead, he is regarded a Loss. The
Duke of Newcastle succeeds him at the Treasury, his Station
in the House of Commons & other office as yet no appoint-
ment, 'tis thought Difficult who to say. — In your answer to the
Earl of Holdernesse the first Paragraph of the Lower House's
Address to you in Answer to your Message occasion'd by His
Lordship's Letter ; Is thought here will be sufficient.

Yours sincerely

CaeciP Calvert.
Post.

Phil"" Young of Calvert County has applied to me for Pre-
ferment in MaryL"^ I am totaly unacquaint'd with him I told
him I shou'' write to you leaving all favour in relation to him to
your directions and ludgement, he says the Lord promised
him Service. The Surveyor's on making my Lord Surveys of
Mannor Lands you must take care how they do them other-
ways they will be sadly executed they shou*^ be all of a size
Large & Book'd with the Particularys relating to the premises
fairly & with Accuracy incerted in the Plan this I hope you'l
order into excecution with' Delay as it will well please my Lord
the return of them.

Original. [Dinwiddie to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg Virg" Mar. 25"' 1754.
S'

Yours of the ti"" Curr' I duely rec"* & am heartily sorry y'
Assembly will not assist with Forces to repell the unjustifiable
Encroachments of the French. I am oblig'd by His Majestys
Cofiids to endeavour the building of two Forts on the Ohio,
but I fear the small Force rais'd here will not be sufficient.

The President of North Carolina writes me that their Assem-
bly have voted ^12,000 Proclam'' Money, & that they are
enlisting Men accordingly, & thinke they will raise 750 — The
Gov"" of Pensylv^ thinks he will be able to prevail with the
Assembly to grant a handsom Supply, their House are to sit
down the second of next Month.

I have rais'd 300 Men, which, with a Comp"" under Cap'
Trent's com'' now at the Ohio, is all I can propose to raise from
the small Sum given by our Assembly, but I doubt not they
will increase the sum hereafter. — I am thorowly convinc'd of
your assiduous endeavours with your People; but there is no
resisting an ill-founded Prejudice ; if they wou'd look forward
& Consider the dismal Consequences that must follow the
Setdem' of the French so near our Frontiers, they certainly
wou'd chearfully assist with a proper Supply; as it's easier to
prevent their setding, than dislodge them when settled; besides

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 43

they ought to shew themselves good Subjects, in complying with
His Majesty's Comands for a mutual Supply. As the Dignity
of the Crown His Majesty's just Right to these Lands, & the
Safety of all the Colonies much depends on this Expedition.

But you or I, can do no more than press the Necessity there-
of, which I am convinc'd you have done in the strongest
Manner

I remain with very sincere Respect
¥■■ Excellency's
Most Obed' hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddie
Gov' Sharpe.

[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.] original.

S' Williamsburg Apr. 10''' 1754.

Enclos'd I send you a Letter that came under my cover
from M' Glen Governor of S° Carolina.

That Gentleman proposes to me, a Meeting of all the Gov-
ernors on the Continent at Virginia, the Middle of lune next,
to adjust a Quota of each Colony to be employ 'd on the
present Expedition to the Ohio. I do not know what Influence
he may have on his Assembly, but I am sure the Assembly of
this Dominion wou'd not be directed what Supplies to grant,
& will always be guided by tlieir own free Determinations; &
wou'd think it an Insult on their Preveledges that they are so
very fond of, to be under any restraint or Direction.

What he proposes might have been very necessary some
Time ago to represent Home the Situation & Circumstances
of each Colony, with their opinion on the Insults & Invasions
of the French; but this by no means can be a proper Time,
when they are daily expected down the Ohio River, & no Time
is to be lost in building the Fort, agreeable to His Majesty's
Comands to me.

Add thereto the Gov' of N York's meeting the Six Nations
at Albany the lo"" June; & my Appointm' & to meet the
Northern & Southern Indians at Winchesf the 20''' of next
M°. wherefore I think his Proposal to meet here with the other
Governors in June, is at this Time impracticable ; & am of
opinion the Governors to the Northward wou'd not agree to so
long a lourney, particularly from N: England.

The object I have in my Eye is building the Fort. Cap'
Trent has the Comand of Seventy or Eighty Men on the Spot,
at the Forks of Monongehela, & a Detachment of 150 Men
are march'd, a Week ago, from Alexandria to join him ; &
another Detachment of the same Number will march from
thence the Beginning of next Week to support them.

44 Correspo7idence of Governor Sharpe.

The Independent Companies from S° Carolina I expect this
Week, whom I shall send up to Alexandria imediately to follow
the others; & I very soon expect two other Companies from
N York, & have great Dependence on a Supply from Pensyl-
vania, which, when met in a Body, I hope with the Assistance
of our friendly Indians, will enable me to comply with His
Majesty's Comands, & make a proper Head against the French.
I shall be very glad of Your Advice & Opinion on the
Whole, & I beg Leave to assure you that

I am
Y^ Excell^
most Obed' & hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddle
P: S: Our General Court ^
is just going to meet !

which puts me in a |

great Hurry. J

Gov' Sharpe

Original. [Calvert to Sharpe.]

London April ly'*" 1754.
Dear Sir

By His Lordship's Instructions inclosed you have His
answers as to the Material Parts of yours of the 29''' of Novem-
ber, the lo"" and 26'*' of December last; with His answers to
the several Publick Papers.

The Maryland Gazette in which is recited the Acts of
Assembly, November the 22*^ bears date about the time the
Sessions of Assembly Ended, began on the 2^ of October last.
The Transmission of the Laws of the Assembly, no Arrival of
them is surprizing. It being almost now five months since the
Close of the Assembly. I therefore cannot write certain in
relation to the Laws, they not having My Lord's Consideration.
I shall only make some Cursory Remarks on two Laws, the
Merchants here as represented to Them by their Correspond-
ents think prejudicial; And if true may Endanger the Pro-
prietor's Dissents. Viz'

A Supplementary Act to the Act Entituled, An Act for the
Relief of Creditors in England against Bankrupts, who have
imported any Goods into this Province, not accounted for.

I am inform'd the merchants in a Body intend to Petition
the Proprietor against the Supplementary Act. Aledging that
upon a Bankrupt Person in Maryland his Creditors here are
not to have Benefit of any of his Effects in Maryland, But from
an Over-plus after the Creditors are fully paid in the Province.
This the Merchants say is very alarming and will stop their

J

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 45

Giving Credit to Persons resident in the Province, And say the
Act is repugnant to the Law of England, As by the Law here
The Assignees under the Statute of Bankrupcy are obliged to
divide tlie Effects of a Banlcrupt between all Creditors Equally.

I find at a Session of Assembly the 26"' of April 1715, An
Act, For the Better administration of lustice in Testamentary
Affairs &c. Section 20''' Tis Enacted That from and after
Publication hereof, no Person or Persons being Executors or
Administrators, of any Person Deceased within this Province,
shall be liable to pay Debts contracted out of the Province. —
before Debts due within this Province and is Crown Law the
first of George the First. — This carrys a Salvo lus to the Prov-
ince it Self and seems sufficient as not to Bar further Equaly
in Law just Debts due out of the Province, as such Debts by
Bankrupcy are mostly Contracted by Credit on Trade.

The second Law. said to be Enacted is. An Act — For the
Encreasing the Value of Gold and Silver, greatly in Diminution
to the Paper Currency.

I find in 1734, a Law was Enacted in Maryland, to Emit
^90,000 in Bills of Credit, which should pass as Current
money, and the said Currency should be equal in all Payments
to Gold and Silver; as by Proclamation of Queen Anne, which
was That ^133. 6. 8 Currency should be equal to_^ioo Ster-
ling. By this Law a Pistole was worth ^i. 3. 10 Currency, and
a Peice of Eight £0. 6. o. Currency. Phe Paper Money was
not so well received as at first Expected, it sunk so much in its
Value that ^^230 Paper Currency would only purchase _^ioo
sterling. As soon as People saw and were convinced of the
Goodness of the Fund for Payment of this money at the
Expiration of the time limited, and on Payment of one third
part of it being Actually (as I am inform'd) made, it came more
and more into Esteem, So that last year ^150 Paper Currency
was equal to^ioo Sterling, and that was the Current Exchange.
At the last meeting of the Assembly 1753 An Act is said to
have passed. That a Pistole should pass for ^i. 7.0 Paper
Currency the Value of which is^o. 16. 6 Sterling, and a Peice
of Eight for ^o. 7. 6 Currency the Value of which is 478
Sterling in the Province. This depreciates the Paper Money
from the Value it was passing by ^16. 6. 8 or thereabouts on
1 50"" as you will see from making the Gold and Silver pass
for more Currency now than it would before this Act passed ;
And prevents the Currency from encreasing in its Value ;
which must have done every year until ^133. 6. 8 of Paper
Currency was equal to ^100 Sterling: For every Person who
has it in their Possession at the time limited will receive
Sterling money for it after that rate ; And this shows the great
Inconsistency between this Law and that made in 1734.

46 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

N. B. Before the late Law /150 Currency bought /lOO
Sterling and by the Increasing the value of Gold and Silver it
will take ^166. 6. 8 Currency to buy ^100 Sterling; If these
things are so, They must Damage the Province Considerably.
Viz'

The Act of Bankrupcy as to Credit here. The Act — For a
Pistole and Peice of Eight to pass Value Encreased in preven-
tion of Encrease in Value to the Paper Money, The Conse-
quence must be, the latter will be purchased up by Crafty
Money Jobbers in Pensilvania at Profit more than /133. p
Cent Sterling Gain. And at the same time, the Encreasing
Act for the Gold and Silver is in the Face and Violation of An
Act of Parliament the 6"' of Queen Anne — which Act has not
only ascertain'd Foreign Coin throughout the Plantations
under Severe Penalties — But also doth Declare any further
Regulation therein to be in the Crown.

I am concern'd to understand from you, that the Journal of
Accounts did not pass on Account of the Allowance due to the
Council.

I find in the Proceedings and Debates of the Upper and
Lower Houses of Assembly in Maryland in 1722. 1723. and
1724. October the 5"" 1723 On a motion made from the Com-
mittee of Accounts relating to the Allowances to be made to
Councillors out of Assembly time. Viz' First. A Messuage
from the Upper House about Councillors Allowances — wherein
The usual Allowances for Attendance as a Council of State
being denyed (by the Lower House) The Upper House
Desired to know why they Denyed Them such Reasonable
and Customary Allowances. The Lower House answer'd —
They find by the Act in 1 670-1, Two shillings per Hogshead
was raised the then Lord Proprietor to defray the Expences of
Government and his Quit Rents &c. That in 1674 and 1678
was raised the same Duty for the same uses. That in 171 7
one shilling per Hogshead was raised to maintain the Dignity
of His Lordship's Lieutenant Governor. Thereupon they con-
cluded of opinion, that as the Council are a part of the Gov-
ernment chosen by His Lordship, he is to pay them out of the
one shilling per Hogshead. The answer from the Upper
House was — That the Country since 1 670-1 and in all Proba-
bility before. Supported the Council of State — Either by raising
an Impost for that purpose or by Assessment upon the Inhabit-
ants; which was by Impost until the King assumed the Gov-
ernment, Then the Legislature Assess'd the Inhabitants, and
so continued during the Government of the Crown. When
the Proprietary Government was Restored they still assess'd
the Inhabitants for the Support of the Council. The Case
being so: If you doubt, we desire a Conference — That we

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

47

may Evince the Truth of them. Whereupon a Conference
was Resolved and Appointed By Both Houses. But the Report
Not agreed on — on The 3'' Message By the Upper House
October the iS'*" 1723 about Councillors Allowances to the
Lower House — They observed, that the Resolution of the
Lower House was, Not to make any such allowances. Where-
upon they observed to the Lower House their mention of the
Law in 1670-1 for Laying a Duty of Two shillings per Hogs-
head on Tobacco exported out of this Province, one shilling
whereof was given to His Lordship for the Support of Govern-
ment and for allowing Convenient Salaries to His Privy
Council, which was again continued in 1674 & 1678 for the
same Uses. From whence you inferr'd That the one shilling
per Hogshead in 171 7 ought to be applyed to the same uses
as in 1 670-1 — Concluding His Lordship is obliged to main-
tain His Council out of the aforesaid one shilling per Hogs-
head. The state of the Case — The Law in 1 670-1 first raised
the one shilling per Hogshead, payable to the Lord Proprietary,
for the Support of Government, and for Payment of the Salaries
to the Council, and for maintaining a magazine in the Province :
Which Law stood continued from Time to Time till 1692 —
when the Government was under the Administration of the
Crown, and then a Law was made for raising Fourteen pence
per Ton, on all Ships or Vessels trading within the Province,
out of which a standing Salary of Thirty Pounds per Annum
was to be allowed to all such Councillors as did not hold any
Places of Profit in the Government; And likewise another Law
for raising the one shilling per Hogshead aforesaid, and apply-
ing to other uses in Government. For it could not be Sup-
posed that any part of it was intended for the support of the
Council when they were provided for by another Law ; But upon
making of the Law for applying the Fourteen Pence per Ton
toward the support of the Council, and for Defraying other
Charges in Government, My Lord Proprietary, who knew he
had a Right to the Fourteen Pence per Ton by His Preroga-
tive, Applyed himself to the King and Council in England, and
procured an order to have the Fourteen Pence per Ton, re-
stored to Him again, and Has ever since received it to His
own proper use, by which means the Council became destitute
of any Allowance, the one shilling per Hogshead being applyed
another way as has been before observed. Upon this, the
Legislature took their Case in Consideration, and made them
an Allowance in the Publick Levy, which has been done
annually for above Thirty years past. And the one shilling per
Hogshead was Annually applyed to other uses in Government,
according to the Directions in the Law made in 1692 aforesaid
and other Laws to the same purpose, until 1 7 1 5 after the Gov-

48 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

ernment was again Restored to the Lord Proprietary ; in which
year an Act of Assembly was again made, which advanced the
aforesaid one shilling per Hogshead, to Fifteen pence per
Hogshead, Three pence of it to be applyed towards the Sup-
port of a Magazine, and the other Twelve pence to the then
Governor for his own proper use.

The one shilling per Hogshead for support of Government
was directed to be paid to His Lordship, for the Support of
His Governor, and for such other uses towards the Support
of Government as His Lordship in His Discretion should think
meet to apply the same which was accordingly Re-Enacted in
1717.

In mine of January the 5"' I observed to you That the afore-
said Law of 1692, was by the Terms a Perpetual Law. That
King William Dissented to the Law 1699 for the support of
Government. Notwithstanding which, the Act of 1692 as it
continued in Force before 1699 — The Support of Government
was raised until the Perpetual Law of 1 704 was made in Col
Seymour's time, by which Law, the present Support of Gov-
ernment is raised, and has been ever since the Act of 171 7
Ceased. The latter Act being only Temporary and made as
was found necessary during its Continuance, to raise Three
pence per Hogshead as a Composition for His Lordship's
Rents and Alienation Fines, But that Composition ceasing
in September 1733. The Assembly held in 1734 made an Act
to Raise the Three pence per Hogshead, well satisfied the Act
of 1 704 was in Force effectually for the Support of Gover-
ment.

The Question on the Case as it stands is, whether the
Council can justly claim any part of the aforesaid one shilling
per Hogshead, for as the Law of 1692 Repealed all the former
Laws for Raising the one shilling per Hogshead and applied
it to other uses, exclusive of any Support of the Council, who
were then provided for by another Law as aforesaid, and have
been since. And the Law of 1 704 which Repealed all former
Laws, and is a Perpetual Law still unrepealed, by which the
Support of Government is now Raised for such uses in the
Government as His Lordship thinks meet, without mentioning
or having any regard to the Council ; The Lord Proprietor
cannot be supposed to have any knowledge, that the Upper
House of Assembly, at the time of making the aforesaid Laws,
intended the Council should be supported out of the aforesaid
one shilling per Hogshead, which His Lordship has a Right to
apply to such uses of Government as He pleases. This being
the Truth of the Case 'tis certain the Upper House cannot
receed their Allowances to the Lower House — unless under
such Consideration as My Lord's Instructions herewith Recom-
mends.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 49

I have wrote to M' Lloyd and inclosed him My Lord's
further Instructions concerning His Private Affairs, your Con-
sultations with him thereon, and carrying into Execution the
advancement of His Lordship's Property, and returning such
Testimonials of Benefit to Him will be grateful ; and of which
in you He trusts there will be no Delay, and that you will for-
ward all others concerned.

By Lord Fairfax's Letter to you, his Lordship Declines
having to Do with any Re-Settlement of the Course of Poto-
mack River. The Branch called the South Branch which you
seem to apprehend will be much more Beneficial to Maryland,
as in Length South Westward, will depend on Proof, as it's
Fountain Head instead of the Spring Head of the said River,
determined by the Virginia Commissioners in 1736 and 1737.
If the South Branch runs as you apprehend, it will certainly be
of great Advantage to the Encrease of Maryland, and also may
be to Lord Fairfax's Tract of Land by the Spring head of
Potomack lying more Westward than the Determin'd Head of
Potomack as above settled.

However you ought before you make an Attempt, to be well
Grounded How the Iirclinations of the Governor, the Virginians
and Lord Fairfax Stand, to a New Settlement of the Course
and Fountain of Potomack with Maryland. If they oppose, the
Crown is most likely will side with Them. The Tryal of the
South Branch of Potomack as to it's advantages as may turn
out. His Lordship is not against M' Cressap's Essay therein ;
Provided he does not bring upon Him too great Cost thereby,
of which, if you find it absolutely necessary to send him ; you
must Bargain with him Reasonably.

M' Evans's Abstract of his Treatise is hardly worth notice.
He says, " concerning what was gained or lost by the Proprie-
taries, if the Articles of Agreement take Place."

" The Messieurs Penn and my Lord Baltimore, when they
executed the Articles, considered the South Boundarysof Pen-
silvania by the Patent to be in the lat. 39° and if the Articles
are to stand, they must be Construed Accordingly "

In answer thereto. By the Articles Executed by the late Lord
Baltimore and the Messieurs Penns, It doth under no Con-
sideration appear or is Suggested, The Pensilvania Patent to
be in the Lat 39° As to the three Lower Counties call'd
Delaware, 'tis admitted in the Pleadings of the Cause, that the
Duke of York had no Right to transfer to Penns; and it was
also admitted the Deeds of Feoffment Grant by the Duke of
York to the Penns were not Valid, by reason no Proof was pro-
duced of the Crown's confirming the same. It was urged
orders had been Given for Issuing out Warrants for the Estab-
lishing the said Grants, but admitted in the Cause the same

50 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

warrants were not Confirm 'd By Charles the 2^ nor James the
2^ Entre Nous, I understand M' Evans is a man of no good
Character, and has been a time Serving man to tlie Messieurs
Penns. The Map from whence the Articles of Agreement
with the Late Lord and Messieurs Penns was by Artificial
means imposed on the Late Governor and sent by him to the
late Lord, the Product of much Uneasyness to the present Pro-
prietor. Therefore for the future My Lord will not Submit to
pay any Charges, but such as are of real Service to Him.

As to M' Goldsborough succeeding as one of the Council of
State, you may be under no Apprehensions about him. His
Lordship has not fill'd up the Vacancy in the Council ; by
reason as yet He is not Satisfyed of a Proper Person : As to
M' Dulany he has no Objection, but at present thinks he may
be of Service in the Lower House of Assembly; you must
think of another proper Person to fill up the Council.

The Church Preferment mentioned Vacant by you in yours
of the lo''' of December, you have My Lord's Instructions for
Presentment To M' M^Fearson of one of the Livings value of
Thirty thousand Pounds of Tobacco, as by your Desire. That
of M' Thornton's in Queen Anne's County, one M' Rosse from
hence, will bring you His Lordship's Instructions for Induction
therein, you must be more particular on vacancy of Livings,
distinguishing by name of the Parishes. His Lordship desires
you'l send him a List of the Clergy, their names. Parishes and
County, with Amount of Taxables and Value in Pounds of
Tobacco. Also a List of all Persons in Employments, their
Employ, and worth of Each as near as you can Learn.

The Lower House Address of the i6''' of November 1753,
In Answer to your Messuage ; On the particular in Charge
from his Majesty, contained in the Earl of Holderness's Letter
Aug' the 28''' 1753, by you laid before Them. Their Answer
by People here is thought Equivocal, by an attempt of Assess-
ment on His Majesty's & the Proprietor's Law of 1 704. The
Support of Goverment

I am wishing you all Happiness
Your's truly
Caeci? Calvert

Pos'

'tis unlikely that M' Tasker may have offered M'' Dulany
since he wrote to have him jointly with him in the Commiss''
so smal a recompence, that the other may refuse acceptance,
tho' he has wrote here desireing jointly to be in the office with
M' Tasker, if he shou'^ refuse & will not accept, w'' I hope will
not be the Case, if he does. My Lord will suppose it a finess
between Them, to prevent the office being held by Two Per-
sons & you must on his non acceptance immediately put

Correspondence of Govertior Sharpe. 5 i

another Lawyer in jointly with M' Tasker, who most certainly
is not fit to hold the Office singly. Your Brother M' lohn
Sharpe is return'd a Member for this Parliam' Y' Brother
Will" is gone to Bath, he has been much out of Order this
Winter. Affairs here are Quiet; His Grace of New Castle
under God's Vicegerent sole Disposer of all Things. His
Majesty in Good Health at Kensington.

I shos"* be much oblige to you for paym' to me half yearly on
y' Corespondent in London for I having hardly any income to
subsist upon But what I earn. I Desire you will obtain the
same for me of M' Tasker & M' Dulany M' Tasker's way of
paym' as to time does not suit me. You must do for M' Gra-
ham My Lord desiers me to remember you of him. My service
to M' Ross I've rec'' his, with the Copy of Bill enclosed. I
desire he will surrender up to M' Lloyd my Letter to M' Tasker
dated the is'** of May 1752.

[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.] original.

Williamsburg Virg" i" May 1754.
Sir

Your fav" of 25"" Apr. I reC last Night. I am very glad You
agree with me in opinion, in regard to Gov'' Glen's Proposal;
as I am convinced, if a Gov' of this Dominion shou'd direct the
Assembly either in regard to raising Men or Money, wou'd be
the infallable way of being disappointedofbodi, for they depend
greatly on their own Notions and Judgements. Y' Letter to
that Gent" shall be duely forwarded ; & I shall at all Times be
ready to concur with the Gov"^' on this Continent, in any
reasonable Scheme for His Majesty's Service, & that of these
Colonies. M' De Lancey has wrote me to the same Purpose
he wrote you ; however Eligible his Proposal may be, we can
do Nothing this Year, as my whole Attention is on the Ohio
Expedition, & I agree with you that a General Plan wou'd be
more proper to be laid before an Assembly; as I think the
different Colonies are too much confin'd to their seperate
Interests, without considering Themselves Subjects to one
Prince.

I wish you may succeed with Your Assembly for a Supply,
as it appears to me monsterous, that from the many Informat'
we have of the French Intentions, that any British Colony shou'd
hesitate in granting a mutual Assistance against the cofnon
Enemy, on this present Exigency of our Affairs.

You may be assur'd it gives me great Pleasure & Satisfac-
tion that the Plan of my opperations on this Expedition meets
with Your Approbation. If our Assembly had voted the sum
they have now given, on my Aplication to them in Nov"" I am

52 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

pretty fully convinc'd the Fort wou'd have been built before
this Time ; however must look forward & do the best we can ;
when the three Independ' Companies arrive, I think we shall
have near looo Men, tho' that's much short of what the French
threaten us with.

The Plan of the Fort is not yet drawn, as the Ground is not
fully fix'd on, being left with discretional Power to the Enge-
neer, when done shall send you a Copy of it. I have from an
old Book of Laws, sent you enclos'd a Copy of one relating to
the King's Lands ; but no report of the Surveyor thereon, if
any, I fear it was destroy'd when our Capitol was burned.
Lord Howard was not Gov' here till 1680 if that, or any Thing
else from this, will be of use to you, I shall be glad to serve
you, & be assur'd I remain with great regard

Y' Excel?
most obed' hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddle
P. S. I shall set out for
Winchester about the
12'" of this M°

Gov' Sharpe.

Bk. I. [Sharpe to Baltimore.]

p. 26

the second of May 1754.
My Lord

In obedience to your Ldps Instructions I have transmitted
Copies of all the Laws made at a Session of Assembly begun
& held at Annapolis in this Province the 2'' of Ocf 1753 &
have fulfilled your Lordsp's pleasure by inclosing therewith a
few Observations for the more easy reference to any thing new
or of an extraordinary nature by any of them enacted. Such
a Bill as your Lordship was pleased to recommend in your
Instructions for the Naturalization of German Protestants im-
porting themselves into this Province was brought into the
Lower House of Assembly in the Oct' Session but did not pass
through, however these people suffer no great Inconveniences
from the want of such a Law, as there is an Act of Parliament
in force in England naturalizing all such Foreigners after a few
years Residence in any of His Majesty's Plantations. Advising
with your Lordship's Agent & Judge of the Land Office about
having parcells of Land surveyed in the several Counties &
erected into MannoursI was informed that there is not remain-
ing a Tract of Land (unless one in the Lower part of the
Eastern Shore that I have a prospect of Discovering & the

p. 27 Barrens) extensive enough to answer that purpose in any part
of the province, except in Frederick County near the Frontiers,

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 53

& there are two mannours surveyed & reserved in that County Letter Bk. i.
already; if I should by any enquiries get knowledge of Vacancy
which will answer that End, or Land contiguous fit to be added
to the Mannours already laid out & erected, I will punctually
obey your Lordships Instructions. Your Ldp's Expectations
of having what Land remains vacant in the more populous
parts of the Country sold off at more advanced prices, cannot
I am afraid, be answered as much as I wish ; The Method
always followed here of locating Land Warrants by selecting
the most rich & fertil Land without regarding any regularity
of its Area, or making one 6f its Courses coincide with the
Boundary of the adjacent prior patented Tract, has left the
Land hitherto remaining Vacant & uncultivated, in such irreg-
ular small & incommodious parcells that it is thought scarcely
worth any ones While but those on whose possessions it joins,
to take it up even at the common Rate I observed in a Letter
to your Ldp's Secretary soon after my Arrival that in some of
the Counties there is supposed to be a considerable number of
Acres, for which your Ldp receives no Rent. This (except
the parcells just mentioned & some very poor Land not taken
up) comes under the Denomination of Surplus or cultivated
Vacancy ; for the more easy discovery of which I at that time
submitted to your Ldp's Consideration, whether it would not be
an adviseable Step to survey one or two of the smaller Counties
where there appears the greatest Disproportion between the
Rents paid your Ldp & the quantity of Land cultivated &
possessed however the Occupiers are frequently making Re- p. 28
surveys & taking up the vacant cultivated Land, for which is
paid according to the Improvements made thereon, & as they
can agree with the Agent to whom I have communicated my
Instructions on this Head & desired He will comply as much
as possible with your Ldp's pleasure thereby signified.

I have taken this opportunity of transmitting a short History
of Delaware River & the Dutch & Sweedish Setdements thereon
before the Date of the Duke of York's Deed for the Three
Lower Counties. The History I got compiled from some
Extracts from the Records of New York, with hopes that it
might obviate some Objections that have been advanced
against your Ldp's Title to the Lands on that Bay & River

I have endeavoured as much as possible to acquaint myself
with the Circumstances & Occasion of the Murder committed
by Kittsmiller on the disputed Boundaries. The Identical Spot
where the Fact was committed M' Diggs insists & brings Evi-
dence to support him was included within the Courses ran by
the Surveyor when the Land was first taken up, but on having
recourse to the Land Office whither all Land Warrants are
after Execution returned & entered, it manifestly appears that

54 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. that Spot IS not included within the Bounds as is there platted
& described, & Stevenson the Officer who first surveyed the
Land, avers & contends that He never ran other Courses than
were returned to the Land Office; This is all I can yet dis-
cover of the Affair ; the Question at present is whether some
Wittnesses that M' Digges can produce will invalidate Steven-
son's Testimony ; turn that out as it may yet as the Pensilva-

P- ^9 nians had procured a Copy of the Land platted from the Mary-
land Land Office & thereby ruled themselves in making Survey
of the contiguous Land as lying in Pensilvania before His
Majesty's order in Council ; I apprehend we cannot proceed to
bring the Murtherer to Justice in this province.

I was very uneasy at not being able to transmit the Rental
Books more speedily, but have taken Care that the Agent has
sent as many as were compleated by this same Conveyance, &
hope the Rent Rolls for the remaining Counties will be pre-
pared to transmit by a very early Opportunity; with the
greatest alacrity & Satisfaction would I have complied with
your Lordships Desire to have the plan delivered me for the
Collection of the Quit Rents by the respective Sheriffs put
immediately in Execution had it not been absolutely imprac-
ticable in the short time that intervened between my arrival &
the Expiration of the term for which the former Receivers had
engaged ; Several of the Sheriffs in Office were not able to
give sufficient security for the due & punctual payment of them
to your Ldp's Agent, & to have displaced them at that time so
suddenly would have been their entire Ruin, w'^'' I was per-
suaded was J"ar from your Ldp's Desire or Design. I have
consented therefore to the farming your Ldp's Rents for the
Term of two years & when that time is elapsed I will put that
plan in Execution I hope entirely to your Ldp's Satisfaction.

I have herewith sent for your Ldp's information & satisfac-
tion an exact State of the worth of the respective Ecclesiastical
Benefices in the province at this time ; your Ldp will see that
the Divisions already made have reduced most of them to a
very moderate Value. The misinformation that had been
given me made me represent untruly the Income of some of
those that are now vacant, which Error your Ldp will be hereby
enabled to rectify: And as the Decease of M' Cox in Queen

P- 30 Ann County has vacated a Parish something less in Value than
that in Dorchester to which I recommended M' Malcolm, I have
taken the Liberty to favour M' Malcolms later Request, by in-
ducting him to S' Paul's in Queen Ann County which being
more compact, the Duty of it can be discharged with less
fatigue to a person in years which is M' Malcom's Case ; &
M' Meyer according to your Ldp's Appointment succeeds him
at Annapolis as the Income to the Rector of Annapolis is

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 55

scarcely by the Dearth of provisions Fireing- & family necessa- Letter Bk. i.
ries, a decent subsistance for a Clergyman, I proposed had not
your Ldp's pleasure been otherwise signified to have nominated
a Reader for a year or two to officiate in the Church with some
Assistance from the neighbouring Clergy, & permitted the
Vestry to make a Reserve during that time of part of the 30
p poll towards purchasing or building a House for the use of
the Incumbent; which Article is an annual Charge at present
to him of /'20 & upwards, should such a proposal be still
thought worthy your Ldps Approbation, I apprehend M' Meyer
would be grateful for a Removal to Dorchester County or to
any Parish of equal or greater Value that might happen to
become vacant. In acquainting the provincial Clergy with your
Ldp's answer, I duly observed your Ldp's Directions & from
the temper they shewed I am persuaded they will not give any
room for uneasiness or Displeasure by any more such general
meetings — Your Ldp's distinguishing marks of Favour to M''
Bacon & M' Malcolm were delivered them the same Day who
expressed a dutiful sense of & thankfulness for the honour p- 31
your Ldp had been pleased to confer on them which they intend
to do themselves the honour of acknowledging by Letter to
your Ldp.

The Trustees of the Charity School about to be established
in Talbot County gratefully accept your Ldps proposals & are
preparing a thankfull Address for the most kind Testimony of
your Ldp's Approbation. — In a Letter dated the 10'*' of
DecenV last I made favourable mention of M' Dan' Dulany as
a person well qualified & proper to succeed his Father in the
Council, & also if your Ldp should approve of the proposal to
execute & enjoy jointly with M' Tasker the Office of Commis-
sary ; A Letter that I have had the pleasure lately to receive
from your Ldp's Secretary, affording me Room to expect your
Ldps favourable hearing of such a Division, I acquainted M"^
Dulany what Steps I had taken with respect to him in that
Affair for which He acknowledged himself much obliged, but
■on the consideration that his acceptance of the Office tho on
those Terms would oblige him to relinquish his practice as a
Lawyer, whereby He must sustain a very considerable Loss
He seemed to decline accepting it till he had considered of my
proposal & talked with M' Tasker thereon, the Result of which
was, their Desiring me to request your Ldp to order the Com-
mission solely to M' Dulany as an equal favour conferred on
both. For a Successor to M' Young in your Ldp's Council of
State I would beg leave to mention M' W" Goldsborough who
has in the Capacity of Judge of Assize given general Satisfac-
tion, or M' James Tilghman; They are both much esteemed as
Gent" of probity, Temper & good abilities.

56 Correspondence of Governor S/iai'pe.

Letter Bk. I. I am sorry at being unable to put the Scheme your Ldp: was
P' 3- pleased to intimate for compleating the Governour's House in
execution ; for want of being covered the House is now reduced
to so bad a State (the Timber work being mostly wasted &
demolished) that less than ^300 or ^400. will not put it in the
Condition it was left in by the workmen, & I apprehend to
perfect it would require as many Thousand, so large a sum it is
impracticable to raise by Lottery in these parts where it is with
the greatest Difficulty that _^ 100 or ^200 can be raised by that
method for executing any work of the most general Utility.

As the objection that many of the Lower House make to
advancing a sum of Money for its Completion is, that they
conceive the House is now become absolutely irreparable, I
would engage (was that sufficient) to get a Subscription of
/■150 — to shingle it, & by recovering it to its pristine appear-
ance obviate that Objection, but as such a sum is much too
trivial, unless your Ldp would be pleased to increase it ; I must
rest till a fair Occasion offers for pressing it to the Assembly;
which I will endeavour to do in the most effectual manner, but
cannot think of attempting it till after the Dissolution of this
Assembly in November next, as the Incursions of the French
on His Majesty's Dominions oblige me to push them on the
disagreeable Business of granting money for that purpose at
this time, & as it is too notorious that They always shew greater
Backwardness in every last session to do any thing generous,
lest it should induce their Electors to reject them when they
offer themselves Candidates at the ensuing Election.

I met the Assembly the 25''' of March upon the Business
p- 33 that was mentioned in my Letter dated the 10* of Feb>' the
Contents of which I hope e'er this your Ldp is acquainted with,
but neither my utmost Efforts or the Example of the Virginians
who had just then granted the Sum of ^10,000 for that pur-
pose could induce them to make the least Provision for the
Encouragement of the Ohio Expedition. — That a Sum of
Money should be given for Commissioners to be at the Inter-
view proposed to be held with the Indians at Albany was pretty
readily voted; but the Method proposed for raising it was such
as could not be concurred with. The whole proceedings of
the Session I have transmitted in the Journal of both Houses,
& hope my Conduct with respect to that Affair will not appear
to merit your Ldp's Disapprobation. The repeated Sollicita-
tions of the neighbouring Governments who begin to be
alarmed at the progress & at their summoning a Fort which
the Virginians had built on their Frontiers to surrender have
induced me to meet the Assembly of this Province again the
S"" Inst, to procure if possible a more satisfactory answer to
the Letter from the Lds of Trade as well as the Gov"^ of Vir-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 57

ginia's Requisition, which I am in some hopes, the laudable & Letter Bk.i.
generous Example of the several neighbouring Colonies will
prompt them to give. I shall have an early opportunity by a
Ship that will depart in 3 weeks or a Month to acquaint your
Ldp with the Event of our meeting, & my performance of some
particulars that were required by the last Letter I was favoured
with from your Ldp's Secretary. I have taken an Opportunity p- 34
since my arrival of visiting Baltimore which indeed has the
Appearance of the most increasing Town in the Province, tho
it scarcely answered the Opinion I had conceived of it : hardly
as yet rivaling Annapolis in number of Buildings or Inhabit-
ants ; its Situation as to Pleasantness Air & Prospect is inferior
to that of Annapolis, but if one considers it with respect to
Trade, The extensive Country beyond it leaves no room for
Comparison ; were a Few Gent" of fortune to settle there &
encourage the Trade it might soon become a flourishing place
but while few beside the Germans (who are in general Masters
of small Fortunes) build & inhabit there I apprehend it cannot
make any considerable Figure. I am promised as soon as it
can be compleated by a Gent" therein residing a plan of the
Town as it is begun & designed to be perfected, which I hope
to convey your Ldp with my farther Sentiments &a particular
Description of its Site & of the adjacent Country when I again
take the Liberty of assuring your Ldp how much I am your
Ldp's most devoted humble Serv' H S.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

3"^ of May 1754. transmitted by Capt: Coxen.

Sir

Had any Opportunity offered within this two Months I should
have sent you before Copies of all the Laws made at a Session
of Assembly begun & held at Annapolis the 2'' of Ocf 1753
that Reference might be more easily had to any thing New or p. 3s
extraordinary by them Enacted I have according to His Ldp's
pleasure now inclosed therewith a few Sheets containing Ob-
servations on several of them according to the Order in which
they follow each other in the Book covered widi Marble paper.
Advising with His Ldp's Agent & the Judge of the Land
Office about having parcells of Land surveyed in the several
Counties & erected into Mannours I was informed that there
is not a Tract of Land unless one that I have a prospect of
discovering in the lower part of the Eastern Shore & the
Barrens extensive enough to answer that purpose in any part
of the Province except in Frederick County near the Frontiers
& there are two mannours surveyed & reserved in that County

58 Correspo)ideiice of Governor Sharpe.

I. already. If I should by any inquiries get knowledge of
Vacancy that will answer that End, or Land contiguous & fit
to be added to the Mannours already laid out & erected I will
punctually obey His Ldp's Instructions. — His Ldp's Expecta-
tions of having what Land remains vacant in the more populous
parts of the Country sold off at more advanced Prices I am
afraid cannot be answered as much as I wish: The method
always followed here of Locating Land Warrants by selecting
the most rich & fertil Spots without regarding any regularity
of Area or making one of its Courses coincide with the
Boundary of the adjacent prior patented Tract has left the
Land that now remains vacant & uncultivated in such irregular
small & incommodious Parcells that it is thought scarcely worth
any ones while but those on whose possessions it joins to take
it up even at the common Rate. I observed in a Letter soon
after my Arrival that in some of the Counties there is supposed
to be a considerable number of Acres for which His Ldp re-
ceives no Rent. This (except the parcells just mentioned &
some very poor Land not taken up) comes under the Denomi-

36 nation of Surplus or cultivated Vacancy for the more easy dis-
covery of which I at that time submitted a proposal for sur-
veying one or two of the smaller Counties where there appears
the greatest Disproportion between the Rents paid His Ldp &
the Quantity of Land cultivated & possessed, however the
occupiers are frequently making Resurveys & taking up the
Vacant cultivated Land for which is paid according to the Im-
provement made thereon & as they can agree with the Agent
to whom I have communicated my Instructions on this Head
& desired He will comply with his Ldp's pleasure thereby
signified. To morrow or the next Day Col° Lloyd will be in
Town & I will then in pursuance of His Ldp's last Instructions
consult the several Gent" again & see whether it be impossible
or not to make some Advance in His Ldp's Rents on Land
that shall from this time be applied for & taken up. Since the
^30. some time since I have advanced ]VL Evans _^96. more
most part thereof to defray the Expences attending his taking
Extracts from the Records at New York relating to Delaware
River & the Dutch & Sweedish Settlements thereon. I have
sent the Extracts Authenticated together with the History of
Delaware from thence compiled. Expecting this Performance
would be more satisfactory than I apprehend it will now prove
I was willing to embrace every opportunity that offered & cir-
cumstance that promised to clear up any Doubt concerning
His Ldp's Tide to the Lands disputed ; & shall endeavour to
shew myself vigilant by answering the several particulars
relating to the Province & it's Boundaries that you were pleased
to enjoin me to do by your last received favour bearing Date

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 59

the 5"" of Jan^. What I have ordered the Receiver to advance Letter Bk. l
M" Evans I propose with your Approbation to replace by the P' ^^
Income arising from the Naval Office of Pocomoke which is
held & executed in M' Chamberlaines name whom I have
appointed Naval Officer at Oxford in Succession of Col° Lloyd
who resigned. I have endeavoured as much as possible to
acquaint myself with the Circumstances & Occasion of the
Murder committed by Kittsmiller on the disputed Boundaries ;
M' Digges & some Witnesses that He brings insist that the
identical Spot on which the Fact was perpetrated was included
within the Courses ran by the Surveyor when the Land was
first taken up, but on having Recourse to the Land Office
whither all Land Warrants are after Execution returned &
entered it manifestly appears that that Spot is not included
within the Bounds as they are there platted & described &
Stevenson the Officer who first Surveyed the Land avers that
he never ran other Courses than were returned to the Land
Office. This is all I can yet discover of the Affair. The Ques-
tion now in debate is whether some Wittnesses that M' Digges
is to produce will invalidate Stevensons Testimony : Turn that
out as it may, yet as the Pensilvanians had procured a Copy of
the Land platted from the Maryland Land Office & thereby
governed themselves in making Survey of the contiguous
Land as lying in Pensilvania before His Majesty's Order in
Council ; 1 apprehend we cannot proceed to bring the Mur-
therer to justice in this Province : in 1727 Digges obtained a
warrant for 10,000 Acres, part of which Warrant was executed
on 6822 Acres at this place, the other elsewhere; it is sup-
posed that under the patent for this 6822 Acres Digges in-
tended to possess & enjoy the whole 10,000 Acres at least as
much Land as lay together worth having but afterwards finding p. 38
the Pensilvanians had or were about to make Surveys on &
deprive him of some of the Land on which he had made im-
provements or as he contends that having then first discovered
the Error in the Surveyor's Return He in 1743 applied for a
warrant of Resurvey from the Maryland Office to secure his
improvements & add to his Tract as it was then entered in the
Land Records 3679 Acres more. This warrant the Agent
(not being acquainted with the Patentees intention to make an
addition to His possessions of Land northward of the Tempo-
rary Line & having before given the Surveyor general orders
not to make any Surveys beyond such Limits) without hesita-
tion granted, & it was on this additional resurveyed Land that
the Murder was committed — I was very uneasy at not being
able to transmit the Rental Books more speedily but have
taken care to have as many as were compleated sent by this
same conveyance & hope the Rent Rolls for the remaining

6o Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Counties will be prepared to transmit by a very early opportu-
nity. The plan you favoured me with for the Collection of the
Quit Rents by the respective Sheriffs should have been im-
mediately put in execution had it not been absolutely imprac-
ticable in the short time that intervened between my Arrival &
the Expiration of the Term for which the former Receivers had
engaged : Several of the Sheriffs in Office were not able to
give sufficient security for the due & punctual payment of them
to His Ldp's Agent & to have displaced them at that time so
suddenly would very probably have been their entire Ruin
which I was persuaded was far from yours or His Ldps desire
or design. I have consented therefore to the farming all the
Quit Rents (except in two Counties on the Eastern Shore for
which no person could be prevailed on to engage) for the term
of two years at 1 5 -p C' which sets them on such a Footing as
p- 39 not to leave room for the Sheriffs to advance objections as
might perhaps have been otherways done against farming &
I promise myself that during this term His Ldp will receive
more money for His Rents than He did before even from those
Counties that were received for 10 -p C' when this time is
elapsed I will put that plan in execution I hope entirely to your
Satisfaction.

I have herewith for your information & Satisfaction inclosed
an exact State of the worth of the respective Ecclesiastical
Benefices in the province at this time ; you will observe that
the Divisions already made have reduced most of them to a
very moderate Value. The misinformation that had been
given me made me represent untruly the Income of some of
those that are now vacant, which Error you will be hereby
enabled to rectify. A similar State of all the Civil Offices you
shall receive soon after I can get it compleated which has been
retarded a little by the impossibility of ascertaining immediately
the Value of some of the Offices which have hardly yet been
a year conferred on the Persons who at this time enjoy them.

I have removed M" Malcolm to S' Pauls in Queen Ann
County the Honour done him by your kind mention of him
He is highly sensible of; & to succeed him I have appointed
M'' Meyer whom I should be glad to have liberty to present to
a better Living for Reasons that I have submitted to his Ldp
& which I hope will meet with your Approbation. M" Dingle
whose name I mentioned in some former Letters I have (on
his being recommended by the Gent" of the Parish in which
He has officiated during his Residence in the province) In-
ducted to the Church on Kent Island, a Parish of very small
Value. This has given me an opportunity of executing the
Scheme you approved of for bringing the Clergy under some
Restriction. If His Ldp approves of their being required before

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 6i

Induction to sign such Bonds as I have inclosed Copies of, I Letter Bk. i.
will proceed as often as Occasions offer & hope it will effectu-
ally prevent for the future any Complainings against Lives p- 4°
& Examples of the Clergy. If I could obtain permission I
would by some Removals of a few of the Order to Livings a
little more considerable than those they now enjoy bring them
under the like Regulation & prevent the possibility of their
future immoral or vicious Conduct. — In a Letter dated the lo'^
of Decern' last I made favourable mention of W Dan' Dulany
as a Person well qualified & very proper to succeed his Father
in the Council & also if it should be so approved of to execute
& enjoy jointly with M' Tasker the Office of Commissary.
Your Letter bearing Date the s'*" of Jan'' that I have had the
pleasure to receive affording me Room to expect my Proposal
will meet with Approbation ; I opened to M' Dulany what Steps
I had taken with respect to him in the Affair, for which He
acknowledged himself much obliged, but considering with
himself that his Acceptance of the Office tho on those terms
would oblige him to relinquish his practice as a Lawyer which
brings him in annually a very considerable Estate, He seemed
disposed to decline the proposal till He had had some Con-
versation with M' Tasker thereon, after which they made it a
joint Request as an equal Favour & obligation to both that I
would apply to have the Commission directed to M' Dulany
alone. I presume the Gent" have writ themselves on the affair
to desire your favourable hearing of such a Request.

For a Successor to IVP^ Young in his Ldp's Council I have
taken the liberty to recommend M' W" Goldsborough or M"'
James Tilghman Gent" much esteemed for their Probity
Temper & Abilities.

I might perhaps be expected to give an extraordinary Reason
for mentioning M' Goldsborough after discountenancing in so
particular a manner his Brother's Application but a natural
Relationship you are sensible does not imply a Similarity of
manners & Dispositions & convincing Instance of that observa-
tion is here to be met with, the great Reputation Character & p. 41
Esteem his Prudence honesty & honour had acquired him
induced me to appoint him one of the Judges of Assize which
Trust he has discharged with general Approbation & Applause,
Him or the other Gent" who professes the Law I have ventured
to recommend as Gent" whose Capacity will add great Strength
to his Ldp's Council.

I was obliged to acquaint his Ldp with the impracticability
of compleating the Gov" House by Lottery ; if His Ldp chuses
to advance any Sum for reparing a little the Wast that Time
has made in the House I beleive it might much forward its
Completion, however I have pitched on the first Convention

62 Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe.

Letter Bk. I. of the next Assembly to make a Struggle for a Sum of Money
to finish it — The Journals of both Houses of Assembly here-
with transmitted will shew with how little success I met them
the 25"^ of March on the Business I acquainted you with in my
last Letter, the Ohio Affair you will perceive was scarcely heard
with temper, & the Method proposed for raising Money to
answer the Expence of sending Comm" to Albany was such
as could not be concurred with, you will see that I am re-
duced to great Streights, by the People's determined Resolu-
tion to make His Majesty's Service & His Ldp's Interest clash
if by any means it can be so brought about : that I permitted
the upper House at their earnest Request to return the Bill
curtailed only, as matters were brought to such a Crisis, I hope
will not appear too indulgent, & I should be extreemly obliged
by your advising me how to steer my Course when such Diffi-
culties shall again happen to occur. The pressing Sollicitations
of the several Governm'^ around us alarmed at the great Pro-
gress of the French in making themselves Masters of the Country
westward of these Provinces ; have necessitated me to meet
again our Assembly the 8"' Inst when I hope to find them
better disposed to promote the Service so earnestly recom-
mended in the Letters from the Lords of Trade & the Earle
p. 42 of Holdernesse. A small Fort that the Virginians had erected
on the River Ohio a Body of near 1000 French Troops have
about a week since summoned & taken before the Forces
raised in Virginia Carolinas & New York could muster & go
to its Defence or Relief. The Gov' at home have sent Orders
to the Independant Companies at New York & Carolina to
join these Troops which will make them near 1000 compleat,
an unequal Force by what intelligence we have received to
the French already posted on & about that River — Your Favour
of the 5"" of Jan^ with His Ldp's Instructions I have lately
received & shall shew the greatest Diligence in procuring &
sending satisfactory Answers to the particulars thereby enjoined ;
The Laws I am getting transcribed (so as to reject those
expired or dissented to) which returned authenticated I hope
will give satisfaction. An express Answer to what relates
to the Boundaries, the Examinations & observations I had
before & have now ordered to be made will very soon as I
before observed enable me to make ; I have by this sent the
References to supply the Defect complained of in the Answer
to Logan's state of the Claims &c & I hope a Reference to the
74''' Article of my private Instructions will induce you to excuse
the seeming impropriety of the Expression concerning the
Newcastle Radius in my first Letter which might be in part
occasioned by the sole way of measuring in use here to wit
by the Chain (maugre Hill or Dale that shall occur), by a

Correspondence of Governor Sharp e. 63

Question started by the Commissioners of the two Provinces at Letter Bk. i.
running the temporary Line & by an Apprehension that the
Peninsula might be divided in such a manner by a new Agree-
ment between the Proprietors that no Relation might be
wanted to be had at all to the Perephery of the New Castle
Circle I observe your mention of the Bisection of a due East p- 43
& West Line drawn from the North Point that makes the
Inlet of Lidian River across the Peninsula & from the Point of
Bisection a Line to be run Northward as a Tangent to the
Circle; apprehending that twas the Face of Emory's Map, in
which He has without having taken any exact Observation laid
down Choptank about the same Paralel of Latitude with the
North Side of Indian River that suggested to you such a
Division, I have sent M' Emory to see whether or not such an
East & West Line from the North Side of Indian River will
coincide with or intersect the Water of Choptank River at any
considerable Distance Eastwards from Chesopeak Bay. By
this I shall more perfectly learn where tliat point of Bisection
will fall & how Nanticoke Branches can be affected by either
of the Lines you propose. The Receipt of Col° Cressops
Answer & M' Veazey s Return who is now upon the Exami-
nation of the Distance & Bearings of the several Rivers w""
respect to Newcastle will I hope enable me to answer any
Question that can be proposed about these particulars in a
more explicite certain & categorical manner than the informa-
tions of any Gent" here have hitherto enabled me to do. But
if His Ldp will think of coming to Terms before such Exami-
nations can be made, I should imagine Mess' Penns could
make no Objection to having an East & West Line run from
Indian River or above it so as to clear Nanticoke half across
the Peninsula & from the Extremity of such Line a Northern
Line drawn to the Head of the Easternmost River that flows
into Chesopeak Bay & then from the Head of such River be
another Line continued if it intersects no navigable Water till
it becomes a Tangent to the Circle. Such a Division I submit
if His Ldp is impatient to determine the Affair before I can
transmit a certain Account of the Particulars mentioned above p. 44
& I should imagine that the Paragraph in the Late Ld's Agree-
ment which secures to him if Navigation of the Rivers & their
Heads would induce Mess'^ Penn to consent to the running
such Lines as I now describe.

You will excuse my inserting here what ought to have been
observed where I was speaking of the Quit Rents i" That
the Rental Books as you have been pleased to stile them which
go by the same Conveyance with this are here nominated Debt
Books because in them is specified what each Individual is
annually to pay for what Land He holds. They may I think

64 Corresp07idence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. very properly be called particular Rent Rolls or Rental Books
but cannot come Authenticated from the Land Office by
reason that a Tract of Land which is included in one Patent in
the Land Records is here (owing- to its having been frequently
given sold or devised in seperate Parcells at which times it
might often acquire new names) split into innumerable small
parcells & Quantities, but I will order a general Rent Roll
specifying the particular Tracts of Land patented in the several
Counties & transmit it attested from the Land Office which
may serve to prove that these now sent are justly & truly
stated.

I should unnecessarily incroach on your time I apprehend
by enlarging on what Col° Lloyd has writ concerning Pilates
& Ferries ; but I must take notice of an Order (of which a
Copy is inclosed) that was issued by the Advice of the Council
to prevent such Incroachments for the future as are therein set
forth. I hope it will deter the Pensilvania Surveyors from
venturing either of their own Heads or others Invitations to

p- 45 make Survey of His Ldps Lands & as it was a Caution Gov'
Hamilton has thought proper on his part to take I hope there
will be no more cause of Complaint either to him or me. I
have been informed that M' Graham has made a Resolution
to embark soon for England I am afraid with a Design to be
troublesome to his Ldp ; I am very sorry He should be averse
to satisfying himself here, he has been with me 2 or 3 times
since my arrival complaining loudly of the ill Treatment that
He thinks has been offered him: I endeavoured to pacify him
by promising to confer on him any Office that would support
him genteely & that He was willing to execute if the Offices
He already holds should on his acquainting me with his present
Income appear deficient. After his return home I received
some irregular Accounts Bills Draughts Orders Letters &c
from which I was to deduce what was the trivial Value of his
Posts, which however it was from such Papers impossible to
do, but by the Return from the several Officers that has been
now made me, it appears He does or ought to receive about
;^i5o. Ster^ p Ann. and so much I have proposed to secure
him the punctual payment of on his Resignation of the Places
He at this time enjoys. This proposal I earnestly hope will on
his due consideration of it prevent his Voyage to England, but
least his impatience should render my scheme abortive; I have
taken the Liberty to inclose one of his Letters to me which will
shew with what Disposition he might be expected to arrive in
England.

In answer to your Desire that I would mention some Gent"
as capable & willing to succeed M' Jenings should He resign

p. 46 I would beg leave to recommend M" Steven Bordley as a person

Correspoitdeuce of Governor Sharpe. 65

that will accept the place on those Conditions & I know none Letter Bk. i.
who can execute the Office with better Abilities. He is a
Gent" of the Law in great practice well esteemed & I am per-
suaded from his Behaviour & Professions at my Arrival & his
Conduct since that He will not fail in his Duty either to the
Gov' or to yourself. I have hinted to Col° Lloyd to be punctual
in his Remittances & am assured you will not find him negli-
gent or deficient. I am &c.

P. S. May 9. I yesterday opened the Session with the
inclosed Speech & received the inclosed Address thereon.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]
II''' of May 1 754. transmitted by Capt. Coxen in the Molly.

Dear S'

Your Favour of lan^ 1 1 I had the Satisfaction to receive &
beg leave to seize this Opportunity to make my Acknowledg-
ments to you for your Care & Sollicitude to undeceive his Ldp
& to represent things to him in their proper light. The
Reasons I have taken the Liberty to urge in my other Letters
for not having already put in execution the plan you favoured
me with for collecting the Rents I hope will be thought satis-
factory, & I am persuaded any Gent" who is a Stranger in this
Country must have been very deficient in his payments to my
Lord or have himself suffered from entering into such Con-
ditions as you say were proposed: What Benefit could be
promised to His Ldp from a Person's being sent over here to p. 47
inspect the Offices I cannot readily conceive; as their making
exorbitant -Demands on the People is I presume sufficiently
provided for by the Assembly in the Inspection Law, & that
those who have the honour to serve My Lord in any Capacity
do him the strictest Justice I will make so much my peculiar
Care as to prevent the necessity of his Ldp's Commissioning any
such Inspector general, that the Scheme is dropped I heartily
rejoice & must think that all parties as well as myself are
highly indebted to you for preventing it's being put in Execu-
tion— I thought myself in justice to the great Care you had
taken in procuring such Arms as were lately returned the
Province obliged when the Gent" of the Assembly dined with
me last Session to mention the Arms to them as meriting their
notice & Examination & did not fail setting your Assiduity &
Care in obteining them in the Light in which they deserve to
appear.

My proposing an Act for the Support of the Currency of
the neighbouring Colonies was occasioned by a Person's being
lately convicted in Philadelphia for uttering counterfeit paper

66 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Currency of this Province, for which (tho a vast quantity of Bills
were found in his possession) He escaped with a light punish-
ment in comparison to what his Offence deserved: for want of
such a Law as I have recommended He could be only pun-
ished by them as a Cheat; as the Crime was committed out of
this Province (tho we must be much affected by such Offences)
we could not take Cognizance at all of the fact of which he
was accused. — By the Paragraph concerning the present manner
of supporting the Poor I would recommend to them the build-
ing Work-houses in every County for the Reception of Vagrants
& such as apply for Relief which would in good measure oblige
them to labour for their maintenance & part of such Work
p. 48 house might be appropriated to the Reception of the County
Invaleeds & patients who would thereby receive the Benefit of
the County Phisitian's Attendance & Care for which He has a
valuable Consideration yearly but on account of His Patients
being so much dispersed as they are at present can possibly
do them very little Service.

The last Article hinted at in my Speech & the mention
therein made of His Ldp I hope you will approve of which to
know will afford the highest Satisfaction to

S^ Y' &c.

P. S. Inclosed is a Duplicate of a Bill of Exchange for ^i 25.
sent in my last for your use & Disposal. Your nomination of
M' Dulany's youngest Son I am well satisfied with, but as I
apprehend that on my presenting him to that Clerkship in case
of a Vacancy a Present will be offered as has been usual to
M' Jenings I wait your Commands for my Behaviour on such
Occasion.

Original. [Calvert to Sharpe.]

London Garraway's May ii'*" 1754.
Dear Sir

M' Bacon informing me this morning of his ships sailing a
Monday I've have but just time to Notice to you that My Lord
has rec*^ M' Calvert's Letters of Advice of the Death of M""
Young & your having thereupon offered him to be fudge of
the Land office in conjunction with M' Stuart. His puncto of
Honour, warmth & difficulties he seem's tolaye under in regard
to his own pecuniary Intrest w'' has Caused him to an Ill-
behaviour on your kind & good offered friendship to him has
not a Httle Netled his Lordh^ resentment ag' him ; however he
has postponed his Determinadon thereon till hears in reladon
thereto from you.

M"' Tasker has write me a Letter informing me to M' Dulany

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 67

declines his acceptance jointly with M' Tasker of the Commis-
sary office, w'' surprises me because their appointment by My
Lord was done agreeable to their own Desire M' Tasker
aledges 'tis on Ace' of the Low Price of Tobacco, that reduces
the ffees of the office, there may be something at present in
that respect, but that will not long hold, I hope he only Speaks
his sense thereon in view of his own Interest, I've rec'^ no Letter
from M' Dulany you will be very good to him to perswade him
to Accept, otherways My Lord will appoint another with M'
Tasker, w'' will be Loss to M' Dulany he will repent his being
the Occasion of himself.

Yesterday mor^ M"^ Jenings was with me, he said he had
some Design for France. I asked him what his design was in
regard to his return to Maryland & Desired it of him to tel me
ingeniously he said he had no thoughts of returning to the
Province provided his returns of money did not fail him, in
Answer, I said that might be a material point to him, but in
regard to My Lord & his office under me he must come to a
resolution, to that he replyed, he submitted to My Lord & my
self, as it was likely he shou'* not return He shou*^ not take it
111 if removed. I thereupon left it to his further consideration
& we are in a few Days to go together to Wood Cote at w*"
time with My Lord this Affair will be setded, he mentioned M"'
Brice to me for his Successor as my Deputy

The Attor^ General of Virginia I am inform'd is turn out, by
reason of his journey & Errant here contains a Dispute with

his M from the Virginians in Respect to the Pistole a

ffee insist'd, on taking out the Landed Grants under the Crown,
the Comp' will shortly have a hearing before the Council
Board, the determination is thought will be the Pistole & I
think the Attor^ has a good chance to be restored he having
M' Hanbury his fast friend.

The Affair of M' Calvert & M' Sterling is not as yet de-
termin'd here by the Lord's of Treasury 'tis M' Philpots fault
who has neglected it with the Commissioners of Customs your
Brother lohn promises me faithfully if opportunity serves to
do M'' Ridout Service therein

Your

Affec' friend
Csecil^ Calvert
Excuse Errors in haste.

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter Bk. i.

p. 48
6 June 1754
My Lord

Thursday last in compliance with their Request I pro-

^'-6^

68 Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe.

Letter Bk. I. rogucd our Assembly to the iS"" of next July after a Session
of 3 weeks in which time I succeeded with them so far as to
procure the Sum of _j^500 for a present to be sent to the Six
Indian nations who are to be met in obedience to the Letter
from the Lords of Trade at Albany the 14"' Inst, by Commis-
sioners from the several Governm" on the Continent. A Bill
also was sent from the Lower House with the specious Pre-
amble of being for His Majesty's Service, whereby the Sum of
■3000 was to be granted for the support of the neighbouring
Colonies against any Attempts of the French or other hostile
Troops: but the old Clause concerning Hawkers & Pedlars
(whereby your Lordships Right to forfeitures is disputed) being
inserted therein & the Lower House in many Conferences
obstinately persisting that not the least Concession should on
their part be made with respect to that Article the Bill was
returned them with a negative & so the Affair Dropt. While
I am on this Topick I will beg leave to submit to your Lord-
ship's Consideration whether it be impracticable or improper
to fall on any method to put a Stop to such Perverseness as
might generally be perceived in the proceedings of our Lower
Houses of Assembly which is in great measure owing to the
short Duration of our Sessions which terminate at the end of
3 years: few Gent" will submit so frequently to the inconveni-
ences that such as canvass for Seats in that Llouse must neces-
sarily subject themselves to; by which means there are too
many Instances of the lowest Persons at least Men of small
fortunes no Soul & very mean Capacities appearing as Repre-
sentatives of their respective Counties; As there would be no
want I apprehend of Gent" to appear as Candidates if the
Drudgery of Electioneering was to return less frequently. I
submit to your Lordships Wisdom whether there may be any
impropriety (if a more agreeable Choice of Members should
be made) in continuing the next Assembly for more years than
has been lately usual or customary — Your Ldp was pleased by
your Instructions to forbid the Removal of any lustices or
p- 50 Magistrates without your Ldps express Lycence or permission
but as several had crept into the Commission who were un-
qualified & vastly unworthy to be intrusted with such power as
is given by such Commission especially as the 600 Law has
now taken place I did presume when I issued the last Com-
mission to the several Counties (which is done annually) to
leave out such persons names as I was assured were improper
to be vested with any authority or power in your Ldp's Govern'
& I cannot but mention to your Ldp a seeming Impropriety
with respect to the Judges or Magistrates of the supreme or
provincial Court, Several of the County Clerks who are in their
respective Counties as it were Servants of the Bench which is

J

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 69

composed of the lustices of Peace or simple Magistrates have Letter Bk.
by some means or other been nominated to sit as Judges in a
Superiour Court of Judicature which I beg leave to submit to
your Ldps Consideration I have taken the Liberty to inclose
to your Ldp the Copy of a Letter I lately received from the
Rector of Coventry Parish in Somerset County a Person of a
most abandoned & prostituted Life & Character, which I appre-
hend He was incited to write to me by my refusal to grant him
a Nolo Prosequi to prevent his being punished according to
Law for marrying Persons without Lycence. Your Ldp will
perceive what Sentiments he entertains of any superiour
Authority but if your Ldp should be pleased to take any Steps p. s^
for his Suspension or removal the whole Parish will gladly
transmit me Attestations of his notorious immoral Behaviour
by which He has forfeited not only the Character of a Clergy-
man but even of a Christian I am &c.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

6 lune 1754. transmitted by Doctor Thornton in Capt.
Rawlins.
S'

I have taken this Opportunity of transmitting in Obedience to
his Ldp's Instructions Duplicates of all the Laws enacted at the
Conclusion of the October Session & have also inclosed to you
an Abridgment of all the Proceedings of both Houses of
Assembly from the year 1661 that relate to the Disposition of
the fines & forfeitures arising from the Lycencing Ordinaries,
upon which Article I desired you in my last to favour me with
his Ldp's or your farther Instructions.

I have been obliged again to prorogue our Assembly till July
next without having obtained the Ends for which they were
convened: with some difficulty were they prevailed on to pro-
vide for the Comm'^ & for a Present to be delivered the Six
Nations at the approaching Interview at Albany ; but so in-
superably indifferent or perverse were they with respect to the
other Service recommended to them in my Speech that all they
consulted was how to save Appearances & seem to be disposed
to encourage that important Enterprize. for this purpose a p- 5-
Bill was prepared & sent to the upper House under the Title
of an Act for His Majesty's Service whereby the Sum of ;^3000
was to be granted for the Support of the neighbouring Colo-
nies against any hostile Troops that shall attack or invade His
Majestys Territories on this Continent, amongst other means
for repaying the said £1000 was inserted the old Clause
respecting Hawkers & Pedlars from a Titde of which as they
were found resolutely determined not to recede. The Bill was

70 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. returned after a few Conferences had between both Houses
thereon with an absolute Negative & that I am afraid will be
the Case, as often as I might be obliged to meet them on the
same Occasions.

I must attribute in great measure the Obstinacy that has
appeared in the Lower House of Assembly during these two
last Conventions to the near approach of another Election
which as I intimated in my Last has no little influence on the
Conduct of such Representatives as for the most part compose
our present Senate: As I have humbly submitted to his Ldp
to consider whether it might be improper to put our Assembly
on another Regulation by lengthening the time of their Ses-
sions, the proposal I hope will meet with your Approbation.

It is owing to Col° Cressap's Absence from home among the
Virginians on Ohio, that I am not yet able to comply with your
Requisition concerning the Latitude of the most northern Bend
of Potomack I some weeks since writ two Letters desiring
p. 53 him to return me a Copy of his Map of that River signed &
authenticated which I will transmit with the Description of
Distances & Bearings of the River Heads on the Eastern Shore
as soon as the Surveyors make their Returns which I expect
in about 3 weeks or a month at farthest ;

My Suspicion of Choptank River's being inaccurately laid
down in that Map of Emory's is confirmed by his Return from
the Business in which at my last writing he was engaged.
That River instead of lying Northward of the East & West
Line drawn (in that Map which is in your Possession) from
Indian River, is, upon Examination found to lye entirely to the
Southward of it which I am afraid will not be so convenient for
your proposed Division. The account you required from the
Records of this Province concerning an Observation taken in
1669 at Newcastle & returned to the Governor of New York
I have herewith sent & also the Act of Assembly that you
desired from the Cover' of Virginia which proves to be poste-
riour to the time you mentioned ; & Gov' Dinwiddle informs
me that no account of the Commissioners Proceedings in Con-
sequence of such Act can be found recorded in that Province.
You will also be pleased to receive by this same Conveyance,
attested Copies of as many old Surveys Patents Warrants or
Certificates of Land at present disputed between the two Prov-
inces as I have hitherto been Able to procure & also a Copy
with the Provincial Seal affixed of the Commissioners Journal
who were appointed to run the northern Temporary Line; in
their Proceedings you may be pleased to observe that on April
p. 54 the 23 a Dispute happened about running a I5i due South
Line ; The Question being whether Superficial or Horizontal
Measurement should be allowed, & that on the 24"^ the Mary-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 71

land Comm"'' agreed to make an Allowance of twenty five Letter Bk. i.
Perches more for the uneveness of the Ground ; which I am
informed by M' Chamberlayne was too much by 10 or 12
Perches; this is no inconsiderable width for a Tract of Land
extending from Susquehanna to the Meridian of Potomack, &
notice should be taken thereof in any future Agreement. The
Magistrate at whose Behaviour to M' Veazey you are so jusriy
displeased is no longer in the Comm" & I have taken the
Liberty to leave out some others in those parts of the Province
who appeared timorous in doing the Duty of their Ofifice or
backward to assist his Ldps Receivers in the Collection of His
Rents with hopes that you will not disapprove of such my pro-
ceedings. I presume Col° Lloyd has acquainted you with our
Resolve to advance the Rent of His Ldps mannours in Balti-
more & Frederick Counties from 10' to 20 shillings -p 100 Acres
& I have also issued Orders for the Prosecution of any persons
who shall be detected in cutting Timber in Pocomoke Swamp
or on any other Lands that remain to his Ldp as private prop-
erty. I have writ to M' Dallam for M' Brerewood's papers
concerning the Estate which He has promised carefully to con-
vey to me with a Certificate of his Father's Death & Burial,
I imagine it will be prudent to take Copies & get them attested
before the Original Papers are sent lest the miscarriage of them
might be of evil Consequence. I have been prevailed on to
suspend till His Ldps pleasure can be known the payment of p- 55
a Sum of money forfeited to his Ldp by one James Jarret & a
certain John Mitchell of Dorchester County : the Reasons
that induced me to order a Suspension of Payment you will be
pleased to see in their petition inclosed & I hope their Case
will be thought deserving this his Ldps Compasion & Clemency.
If M"^ Hide is willing to discharge the Arrears of Rent due to
His Ldp I can get Purchasers for the following Tracts of Land.
Darnalls Camp containing 1000 Acres, Darnalls Silvania, 500
Acres & the Affinity 1 5000 Acres lying in Baltimore C'^ near
the Falls of Gunpowder.

M' Keys who has constantly adhered to his Ldps Interest &
the just Support of Gov' at all times & in all Cases (except the
Introducdon of the Statute Laws of England) on which point
alone He differs from us) desires favour for his Son as a C'^'
Clerk when any one not already engaged shall become vacant,
which in his Behalf I humbly submit to your Consideration.
Since wridng the above I have seen M"" Darnall & cant think
him (as much of his Ldp's Property necessarily depends upon
the Abilides of the Attorney Gen') sufficiendy qualified for that
post tho otherwise a well behaved sensible man; I should be
of opinion that the most able Lawyer ought to be engaged to
accept the same, which at present from the Smallness of its

72 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Profitts cant be expected, unless upon your taking it into Con-
sideration you should think it adviseable to annex the Naval
Officers place to it ; I mention this place as it need not take
p. 56 him off his Business, as his Ldp may permit him to transact it
by a Deputy.

M' Darnell has received the Sacrament, taken the several
Oaths to the Gov' repeated the Test & subscribed the Oath of
Abjuration & Test, which being all that can be required obliges
me to think favourably of him & is willing to resign his Place
of Attorney Gen' for any other His Ldp shall be pleased to
bestow on him.

I am w"' the greatest Truth &c.

P. S. I have this Instant received a Letter from Col° Cre-
sap with the Plan & Certificate concerning the North Branch
of Potowmack & the Temporary Line as run by him.

Original. [Calvert to Sharpe.]

London luly 6'*' 1754.
Dear S^

You herewith receive his Lord?"' Instruction with his Com-
mission of Licence for Absence from the Province agreeable to
his Majesty's Commission to you as Lieu' Colonel of his Forces
in the West Indies, of w'' Commission I wish you muCh loy.
May all Success attend your endeavours under so important a
National Employ, & with the Force under your Command may
you be compleately Victorious. The share I have had in this
your New & Honorable Commission has been by a Person who
early made known your Abbilities to His Majesty's Council for
this particular service & finding the proposal of you Acceptable,
I communicat'd it to My Lord, your Brothers Will'" & lohn,
who have gain'd you the Military Rank from his Majesty, with
Power I hope for the compleation of much happiness to you
in Life & to remain Great to Posterity.

His LordsP who has a great Regard for you Trust & does
not doubt, but that you will be very Careful before your
Absence from the province to commit all his Affairs Publick &
private into such hands & under such proper regulations with
Directions as will be attended with Happiness & Advantage
to him, & that y'' returns to his province will be as often as you
can to perfect the same.

The hearing from you often on All Occasions will be very
acceptable, you will find in me a just Corespondent; and it
will be very agreeable to My Lord your transmission of your
particular Letters & Intelligences to the Croun & Ministry
that such concerns may be by his Delivery to Them, of w'' due
Care will be taken.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 73

The sudden Dispatch & shortness of time Admits me to say
no more to you. I am with pecuHar esteem

Y-
Unfeignedly

Csecil^ Calvert

Pos' On closing of this I receive ace' of Cap' Coxen arrival
I hope the Publick papers &c. are a board of him I have as
yet received none of the first from you since your Arrival into
the Province nor of any other Intelligence save what I have
answ"* you. By the first ship M' Tasker will receive a Letter
of Attor^ ab' the Protested Bills of Exchange M' Graham died
in his Passage, My Lord I believe intends the Naval office of
Pocomack & the Surveyor's Place for M' Cha' Graham as a
means for his Support of M"^' Graham the Widow, who returns
to the province; Therefore they must be kept vacant. M'
Kw Randolph is dismist of his employ & the Petition ag' the
Pistole rejected.

My L"* sends you his best wishes.

[Commission to Sharpe.] Original.

F: Baltimore. Frederick Absolute Lord & Proprietor of the
Province of Maryland and Avalon in America and Baron of
Baltimore in the Kingdom of Ireland To our trusty & well
beloved Horatio Sharpe Esquire Leiutenant General & Cheif
Governor of our said Province of Maryland Greeting.

Whereas His Majesty from the great Confidence he has in
your military skill and Abilities has thought it for the publick
Service to constitute and appoint you Lieutenant Colonel of
the Forces intended to be sent against the Forces who have
invaded his Majesty's Dominions in the Province of Virginia
and other parts of America. And I being desirous to further
such his Majestys Royal Intention and to do all in my power
to oppose & repell the common Enemy and to express the
great Satisfaction it gives me that His Majesty has done me
the Honour to shew this his repeated Approbation of "my
Choice of you for my Governor of my Province of Maryland
by Granting you his own immediate Commission as an officer
fit & proper to be employed in so great & national Under-
taking, and out of the Regard I have for you and from a
sincere Inclination to promote your Welfare. I do hereby
signify my Desire That you do forthwith proceed to pay all
due & punctual obedience to his Majesty's Royal Commission
according to the Tenor and true Intent and meaning thereof.
And in Case his Majesty's Service in consequence of the said

74 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Commission shall require your temporary Absence from my
said Province I do further declare my free Leave and Assent
thereto. And that such your Absence from my said Province
in obedience to his Majesty's said Commission shall not in any
respect invalidate your Commission as my Lieutenant Governor
of Maryland, Provided, that you return to my said Province to re-
sume the Government thereof when and as often as his Majestys
Service shall permit you so to do. And it is my further Will
& Pleasure that during your Absence out of the Province upon
this great, necessary, and national Service, the Powers of
Government over my Province of Maryland be exercised by
the President or Senior Member for the time being of my
Council whom you are to authorize and commissionate for
that purpose, when and as the same shall become necessary,
agreeable to the Instructions already received or which shall
hereafter be received from me. And I do hereby require you
forthwith to Signify or cause to be signified to the Council of
State and to both Houses of Assembly within my said Province
of Maryland as well the Royal Commission with which his
Majesty has been most graciously pleased to invest you upon
this important Service, as this my Leave of Absence hereby
granted to you from my said Province; And in a more par-
ticular manner I do require and enjoyn you. That you do
in the most serious & earnest manner recommend it to the
good People of my said Province, That they do in furtherance
of his Majestys Royal Intentions, and in manifestation of their
own just Abhorrence and Resentment at the unprovoked
Insults, and Attempts of the Invaders, most heartily co-operate
with his Majesty and their neighbouring Governments, by
granting such effectual Supplys and prosecuting such vigorous
Measures against the common Enemy as shall demonstrate to
all future Ages the distinguished Zeal and Loyalty of this my
Province of Maryland to their Sovereign and the Cause of their
Country.

Given at London under our Hand & greater Seal at Arms
this sixth day of July in the twenty eighth year of the Reign of
our Sovereign Lord King George the second and in the fourth
year of our Dominion over the said Provinces, Annoque
Domini one thousand seven hundred and fifty four

By his Lordships Command

CaeciP Calvert Secretary

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 75

[Dinwiddle to Sliarpe.] Original.

Williamsburg Viro=' luly 9"' 1754.

Agreeable to your advice I have delivered the Prisoners to
Cap' Strahan, the charges in bringing them from the King's
Ship, & keeping them in Prison here, I think should be paid
by your Treasurer, you have the Ace' enclosed. — I wish you an
agreeable Meeting with your Assembly, & hope they will now
be convinc'd of the Necessity of granting a Supply for con-
ducting the Expedition against the comon Enemy; & more so
as the Property of every Individual in these Colonies are so
much concerned & in Danger.

I shall be glad to hear the result of your Assembly, & I am
with very great esteem & Regard.

Y' Excellency's
most obed' hble Serv'

Rob' Dinwiddle
P: S: The Bearer brings the
Examinat. of the Prisoners
in S° Carolina

[Calvert to Sharpe.] Original.

London luly 13"' 1754.
Dear Sir

I have it in Commandment from [the] Lord Proprietor to
aquaint you, that you are on the receipt of this Letter not to
fail imediately to appoint & Commission M' Charles Gratham
of Calvert County Naval Officer of the Port of Pocomake, he
giving such security as is usual for .his just paym' of the monies
th' shall become due to the Proprietor &c. I am inform'd M''
Tasker lun' held the Survey' General's Office of the Eastern
shore for the benefit of the late M' David Graham paym' to
him as to his produce; the Widow of M' Grayham with an
Infant who is the Bearer of this to you intending to reside in
the province with her Brother in Law M'' Grayham who is
willing to support & maintain her & Child, tis but reasonable
he shoP be recompenced for such Charge he must Necessarily
be at of happiness to her, therefore, it will be agreeable to his
LordP' Desire, that in case it be good Policy not to remove M''
Tasker from the Surveyors office & place therein M' Gray-
ham, you will not fail with' delay of giving M"^ Cha= Grayham
an Equivolent as to value in money by stating him in some
other Office.

I need not be further Urgent in this Affair to you, the con-
sanguinity of the Widow to the Proprietor & his family, her
real worth & good Character she bears in Life, under grevious
Distress as to want all support truly Craves his LordP^ & your

76 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Protection, countenance & regard to her in all things within
the province towards her happiness; your instant complyance
on her behalf I make no doubt ; as thereby you'l testifye y"'
Regard & Will of the Proprietor, with real friendship to me
& the Family.

Yours

with peculiar Esteem

Caecil^ Calvert.

Pos' I have Direct'' this to you or to the President of the
Council in case of y' Absence, that he may on the receipt of
this follow his Lords'^ orders herein to M' Grayham on Ace' of
M" Grayham with' delay of w'' I request the favour of hearing
by the first Opportunity. Coxen is arrived. I desire you'l tel
M' Tasker I am surprised he has not favour me with an Order
on his corespondent in London of w'' I insist on

Original. [Diuwiddie to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg Virg'' luly 31^' i754-
S^

Col° Washington's orders from me was, by no means to
attack the Enemy till the whole Forces were joined in a Body,
& they knew no Intention of the Enemy till the very Morning
they engaged them, & if the Misfortune attending our Forces
has rous'd the Spirits of our neighbouring Colonies, as you
justly observe, has done more than probably a Victory would
have effected — And I desire to congratulate you that after
your indefatigable Trouble your Legislative have agreed to
grant 6,000 for His Majestys Service — The Women & Chil-
dren belonging to our friendly Indians are gone into Pensyl-
vania Governm' where no doubt proper Care will be taken of
them.

I called my Council this Day & laid before them y'' Letter
they are of opinion, if agreeable to you, that you shou'd send
one hundred Men to join our Forces. Col° Innes the
Comander in Chief will have my orders to march all the Forces
he can collect together over the Allegany Mountains ; & if
he cannot dispossess the Enemy of the Fort, he is to build a
Fort at Red Stone Creek, the Crossing Place or some other
Place most convenient, as may be determined by a Council of
War. It will be very agreeable if y' Excellency with the rest
of your Men, will order the building a Magazine for.Provisions,
any where near Wills's Creek, large enough to receive Pro-
visions for 1 500 Men for one year, which as you justly observe,
is absolutely necessary & the Comissary of our Stores being

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 77

disappointed was much complain'd of for want of proper Sup-
plies— The Pay, and Allowance, for our Forces, are as follows.
Captains 8/ -p day Lieut'' 4/ Ensigns 3/. Serjeants 1/6.
Corporals i/. and every private Man S** with Provisions, that's
to say. Flour, Pork, or Beef, one Pistole entrance or listing
Money & 26/. to buy them a Coat & Breeches — I fear d^ "p
Week for Corn will not be a proper Allowance, as they do
expect either Pork or Beef — The road you are pleased to men-
tion from Rock Creek to Wills's Creek will be of very great
use & Advantage & therefore desire you will please give your
orders to execute it imediately. — I send you Copy of the
Capitulation, which from the small Number of our Troops,
they were obliged to accept of. that Article of not settling in
that Part for a Twelve Month is conceived only to restrain
these Persons that were left with the Baggage, so the officers
interpret it, tho' probably the French intended to extend it
further, however we are now going to prevent the French from
SettHng. I am in hopes our Troops will all be at Wills's
Creek, by the 20"' of next Month, & below I send you an Ace'
of their Numbers, & I doubt not you will be able to raise 100
Men to join them by that Time (or to march after them, as
they will be between the Enemy & Wills's Creek) which is
included in the Calculation below.

The Gov' of Pensylvania has called his Assembly to meet
the s'*" & desires an Answer to some Queries, which I now
send him, I shall be glad if you will please order the Messenger
fresh Horses that he maybe there in Time, excuse Brevity &
scralls being much hurried, but believe me to be with great
Truth—

P. S. I have order'd the different Your Excellency's

Corps to becompleated; pray give me most obed' hble Serv'
youropinionif you think I am right Rob' Dinwiddle

in endeavouring to build a Fort, die
other side of the Allegany Mountains
if it's delay'd to the Spring I fear the
Enemy will be reinforc'd —

Independent Company from S° Carolina — 100

2 D° from N York 160

Virginia Regiment 300

N. Carolina D° 350

Maryland Company 100

Total loio Men

The inclos'd News Paper contains

a true ace' of the action from our officers

Gov' Sharpe.

78 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert Capitulation

Papers.

granted by Monsieur De Villier Captain & Commander of
Infantry & Troops of his most Christian Majesty to those
English Troops actually in the Fort of Necessity which was
built on the Lands of the Kings Dominions, luly 3 1754 at 8
o Clock at night, Viz.

As Our Intentions have never been to trouble the peace &
good Harmony which reigns between the two princes in Amity
but only to revenge the Assasination committed on one of our
Officers Bearer of a Citation as appears by his writing; as also
to hinder any Establishment on the Lands of the Dominions
of the King my master; upon these Considerations we are
willing to grant Protection or favour to all the English that
are in the said Fort on the Conditions hereafter mentioned.

Article i. We grant leave to the English Commander to
retire with all his Garrison & to return peaceably into his own
Country & promise to hinder his receiving any Insult from us
French; & to restrain, as much as shall be in our power the
Savages that are with us.

2. It shall be permitted him to go out & carry with him all
that belongs to them except the Artillery which we keep.

3. That we will allow them the honours of War, that they
march out with Drums beating, & a Swivel Gun, being willing
to shew them that we treat them as friends.

4. That as soon as the Articles are signed by both parties
the English Colours shall be struck.

5. That to morrow at Break of Day a Detachment of
French shall go & make the Garrison file off & take possession
of the Fort.

6. As the English have but few Oxen or Horses they are
free to hide their Effects & to come again & search for them
when they have got a sufficient number of Horses &c to carry
them off & that for this End they may have what Guards they
please; on Condition that they give their word of Honour not
to work upon any Buildings in this Place or any part of this
side the Mountains during the Space of one year to commence
from this Day.

7. And as the English have in their Power, An Officer two
Cadets & most of the Prisoners made in the Assasination of the
Sieur De Jamonville they must promise to send them back
with a Safeguard, to the Fort Du Gurne situated on the fine
River & for surety of their performing this Article as well as
the Treaty M"" Jacob Vambram & Robert Stobo both Captains
shall be kept as Hostages till the Arrival of the Canadeans &
French above mentioned. We oblige ourselves on our Side
to give an Escort to return in Safety these two Officers; &

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 79

expect to have our French in two months & a half at farthest;
A Duplicate of this being fixed upon one of the Posts of our
Blockade the Day above nariied

Con. Villier.

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter Bk.

p. 56
Aug^'8. 1754.

In obedience to your Ldps Instructions I have writ to y""
Ldps Sec=' particularly concerning your Ldps private Affairs &
the late publick Transactions in y' Ldp's Province to be sub-
mitted to y'' Ldp who will not I hope condemn any part of my
Conduct which I have now taken the Liberty to make known,
herewith I present to your Ldp the grateful Address of the
•Trustees of the School y' Ldp is pleased to encourage in
Talbot C'^ & I have also obeyed y' Ldps Orders by trans-
mitting by this Conveyance an account of the number of Per-
sons that compose the inferiour Branches of the Legislature of
this province & also the number of Offices held under y' Ldps p. 57
Govern' specifying the yearly value of each as near as can be
learnt. I also take the Liberty to inclose your Ldp a Plan that
was proposed by the several Comm'' from the neighbouring
Colonies at Albany lately for forwarding a Union between the
several Govern" in order the more easily to defend his Majesty's
American Dominions against the French or any other hostile
forces ; which Scheme is to be laid before the Legislature of
the several Provinces at their next Meeting for their Amend-
ment or Approbation; but it has been intimated to me that
the Gov"' of New York has already without tarrying for the
Opinion of Assemblies transmitted a Copy thereof to the
Board of Trade for their Honours Consideration.

Our Commissioners are just returned & inform us that the
Indians who met them at Albany to the number of about 300
returned well satisfied with the Presents & Treatment they had
received from the several Comm"" & before their Departure
after their Receipt of the Presents they took the Opportunity
of a publick Entertainment to express their Acknowledgments
to y' Ldp & this Province & desired your Ldp would deign to
accept from them the inclosed Belt of Wampum in token of
their Affection & Love. In my Letter to y' Ldp's Sec^ dated
the -^^ of May I took notice that the French had about a week
before that time made themselves Masters of a small Fort
which the Virginians had erected on a Branch of the River
Ohio, after which Accident they that retreated from the fort & p- 58
another party from Virginia composing about 300 Men under
the Command of Col° Washington encamped themselves or

8o Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. rather remained near Monongahela about 60 Miles on this Side
the small Fort which had been surrendered expecting the
Arrival of the Forces from Carolina & New York, by which
Reinforcement they hoped to be able to make the French re-
linquish their late Conquest, while Affairs were in this Situation
in the Beginning of lune. Intelligence being brought M''
Washington that a Party of about 30 Men from the french
Camp were coming to intercept some Provisions that were
bringing from Virginia for his use. He ordered out a Detach-
ment, who fell in with the French & after a few Blows made
near the whole Party Prisoners who are still in Virginia. But
soon was this small Advantage repayed by a heavy Misfortune
for on the '^^ of July M' Washington being in the Situation
above mentioned was alarmed with the News of 900 French
Troops being on their March to attack him which before
Eleven o Clock he found too true, when he was really sur-
rounded by such a number as he had learnt were on their
march having not any fortification or Entrenchment to protect
his Men, he was after near 100 of his men had been either
killed or disabled, obliged to accept Terms the same Evening,
which were not very honourable as y' Ldp will observe by a
Copy of the Capitulation herewith inclosed. The News of this
p. 59 Defeat soon reached Gov"^ Dinwiddies Ears & immediately
thereupon He renewed his Sollicitations for our assistance
without which he could not again look the Enemy in the face
before Winter, which would be of fatal Consequence, as it was
unlikely that their Assembly would proceed to raise any more
forces unless we would shew a Disposition to support them in
the Enterprize. By this I was induced to meet our Assembly
the 16"' Inst. & prevailed with them so far as to send up a Bill
for supporting the Virginians with _^6ooo: at my assenting
to which I hope y"^ Ldp will not be displeased, nor that I have
issued Comm"" yesterday for raising a Company or two of
Men in y"' Ldp's Govern' by which we hope the Virginians will
be reinforced enough to take the Field again before Winter.
Y' Ldp's several Instructions that I had the honour lately to
receive it shall be my study to fulfill & immediately on the
Receipt of them I delivered according to y'^ Ldps Order y"'
gracious Answers to the Addresses of both Houses of Assem-
bly transmitted to y' Ldp soon after my Arrival.

I am &c.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 8i

[Sharpe to Secretary of State ?] Letter bu. ii.

p. I
August S'"" 1754. Annapolis in Maryland

May it please sent open to Ld Baltimore In

Obedience to a Letter from the Earl of Holderness dated at
Whitehall the 28''' of August 1753 which I had the honour to
receive, I acquainted the Assembly of this Province who were
then sitting with his Majestys Pleasure therein signified who
assured me that they had that due Sense of our most gracious
Sovereign's paternal Tenderness for & Care of all His Sub-
jects which Duty & Gratitude inspire & that they were suffi-
ciently apprehensive of the great Danger of suffering a foreign
power to encroach upon any part of his Majestys Dominions
& that they were determined to repel in the best manner they
can all hostile Invasions of this province by any forreign power
& whenever the Circumstances of our neighbouring Colonies
may require or need our Assistance that they shall chearfully
contribute as far as theyare able towards defending them against
the Attacks of their Enemies & as the Lieut' Governor of
Virginia has since that time made Application for our Assist-
ance to protect & defend the Frontiers of that Government
against some Regular Forces that are making Encroachments
thereon I again summoned our General Assembly & have pre-
vailed with them to grant the Sum of /6000 toward the Sup-
port of the Virginians against any Attempts of such Troops as
threaten them with Hostilities or dispute his Majestys Right
to his Dominions on this Continent, in this I hope I have
punctually obeyed the Design of that Letter as I shall always
endeavour to & take the greatest pleasure in being able to do p. 2
whenever you may be pleased to signify your farther Com-
mands to &c.

[Sharpe to Commissioners of Trade.]

August S"" [1754] To the Commissioners of Trade

May it please your Honours

In Obedience to a Letter from your Honours to the Lieut'
Governor of Maryland dated at White Hall the 18''' of Sept"
1753, whereby He was required upon the Receipt thereof to
summon the General Assembly of this Province & prevail on
them to grant a Sum of Money for a present to the Six Nations
of Indians, I immediately met the Assembly thereupon who
complyed with your Honours Commands by granting the Sum
of ^500 for that purpose which I sent as directed by Commis-
sioners to Albany & it was I learn there presented to the
Indians who came thither lately to the General Interview held
with them by Representadves from several Colonies on the
Continent, who attended there in pursuance of your Honours

82 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBt. II. Directions; in this I hope I have punctually fulfilled your
Honours Intentions as I shall always take the greatest pleasure
in doing whenever you may be pleased to signify them to
Your Honours &c.

Letter Bk I. fSharpe to Calvert.1

p- 59

8"^ Aug^' 1754 transmitted by Capt Castleton.

Sir

In obedience to your Directions by M"" Jaques I herewith
inclose an Answer to the Letter that I received from the Earl
of Holderness but having learnt that His Ldp has since re-

p. 60 signed the Office of Secretary, I could not direct it, but if His
Ldp pleases to present it to his Successor in the Office I must
beg the favour of you to get it properly superscribed. I have
also by way of Answer writ to the Comm'" of Trade submitting
it to his Ldp's pleasure to deliver the Letter or not. Your
Observation on the latter part of the Assembly's Address in
Answer to my Message with the Earl of Holdernesses Letter
& your Reasoning with respect to the Law of 1 2' -p Hhd is
certainly well grounded, but as no good End could have been
answered by my engaging at that time in a Dispute which
would probably have attended my sending a different Sort of
answer to their Address I hope neither His Ldp nor you are
displeased at my declining it. The truth was, they were very
averse to closing with my Recommendation to them to raise a
Fund for Arms, & not knowing how to dissent openly from
my Proposal they agreed to excuse themselves by modelling
such an Answer as you saw but if they should ever seriously
insist on the Deduction from the 1 2'' there mentioned which I
do not think they will: I will undertake to argue the matter
with them & you may be assured will never make the least
Concessions in Prejudice of his Ldps Rights or Pretensions.

It really gives me some Concern to find by your favour
bearing Date 17"' April that the Merch'' pretend they have
cause to complain against the Legislature of this Province for
enacting the Supplementary Act to the Act entituled an Act

p. 61 for the Relief of Creditors in England &c for I conceive that
this Act cannot controul restrain or in any respect affect the
Operation of the Statutes, which it is insinuated to be repug-
nant to. This Act of Assembly provides only that no Assign-
ment made by any Person or Persons trading to this province
shall be of any Force until the Person to whom the assignment
shall be made do give Security to pay all the Debts of the
Assignor to the people of this Province, so that no other assign-
ment can be affected by the Act than such as shall be made by

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 83

the very Debtor & therefore no assignment under the Statutes Letter Bk. i.
relathig to Bankrupts can be impugned by the Act, Because
the Major Part of the Bank's Creditors (in vaUie) chuse the
Assignees & in consequence of this Choice or nomination the
Comm" make an assignment of the Bankrupts Estate (5 Geo 2).
To this Assignment the Bankrupt is no party, & as the Supple-
mentary Act provides only against Assignments made by the
Debtor himself, it seems to me very manifest that there is not
the least Colour of a Pretence for the Objection that the
present Act of Assembly is repugnant to any of the Statutes
relating to Bankrupts.

The Assignments guarded against by the Act are in their
nature fraudulent, the Credit of the Merch' in many Instances
depends upon the Value of his Effects here, for the Planter
considering those Effects as the property of his Correspondent
estimates his Substance from this Appearance ; but if Assign-
ments made by the Merch'' were to take place, the Creditor
here who might be induced to give him Credit from a Con- p- ^^
sideration of the value of the Effects may & probably will be
deceived, for if the Creditors at home pursue their Interest
they would never obtain a Comm" of Bankruptcy against a
Maryland Merch' till they had secured his Effects here by an
assignment — & as it is almost impracticable for a Creditor here
to come in under a Comm" of Bankruptcy, should these
Assignments take place He would upon the matter be abso-
lutely remediless, which cant be thought reasonable by any
impartial Person since all the Profit which the Merch' acquires
by his Business arises from the Trust reposed in him by the
Planter. If the Act of Assembly had enacted that all Country
Debts should be paid before foreign Debts, the Partiality of
such a Provision might have furnished matter of Complaint,
but it is to be observed that the Act rather establishes an
Equality among all Creditors, by preventing some of them
from obtaining a Satisfaction by means of Assignments at the
Expence of the Rest, for by making such assignments void, all
the Creditors are left equally at large & have equal Remedies
for the Recovery of their Dues. — The Merch'^ have all the
Security for the payments of the Debts due to them here which
they can reasonably desire, for by the 5 Geo 2 Cap 7 entituled
an Act for the more easy Recovery of Debts in his Majestys
Plantations & Colonies in America all Lands in the Plantations
are subject in the same manner as personal Estate to the pay-
ment of Book Debts due to Merch" altho the Lands of Merch'^
in England are not in the same manner liable to the Satisfac- p- 63
tion of such Debts due to their Creditors here, from these
Considerations I hope it must be allowed that this Supple-
mentary Act is not contradictory to any PInglish Statute or can

84 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. afford any reasonable grounds for uneasiness to the Merch" or
any Person else as it is only calculated to prevent fraud between
the Merch' & factor w'^'' might otherwise have been carried on
to the Detriment of the too credulous & honest Planter — As
to the Testamentary Act which prefers Country to foreign
Debts I observe the preference is not so great as it might be
apprehended, for all Country Debts are not thereby preferred
to all forreign Debts. The Preference is only given to Country
Debts where they are of the same Degree or nature with for-
reign ones ; as for Instance Country Bonds are ordered to be
payed before forreign ones, but Country notes or Book Debts
are not preferred to forreign Bonds, & indeed this preference
is in practice found to be very little more than nominal, for
the Act of Assembly does not make any Distinction between
Residents in the Province & foreigners; but between Debts
contracted in & out of the Province, so that all Bonds passed
in the Province to foreigners are upon the same footing with
Bonds passed to Residents, & all Book Debts contracted with
Factors here are considered as Country Debts sic de similibis,
& therefore there is no preference except in the few Cases
where the Bonds are actually passed & delivered out of the
Province or where the Demand stands merely upon the Merch'^
Books at home, & the facility with which Merch" may have
their securities taken in the Country or their accounts setled
here by their Factors makes the Distinction of very little Con-
p. 64 sequence In Effect the People of this Province have not the
same advantage in the Article of paying off Dead Mens Debts
that the Creditors in England have ; No Merch' is without a
Factor here able to inform him of his Correspondents Circum-
stances & without gross mismanagement the Factor knows how
matters stand between the Merch' & the Planters especially
where the Latter are the Debtors & is generally able to bring
Suit for his Principal as soon as any other Creditor. The
Planter has generally no other Correspondent in England than
the Consignee of his Tobacco & therefore upon the Death of
the Consignee, the Creditors in England must get the Prefer-
ence for those who first sue when Debts are of equal nature
will first obtain a Satisfaction.

As to the Merch" Declaration that that Supplementary Law
(supposing it to be what it is not) or any other Law will stop
their giving Credit to the Inhabitants of this Province, the
People will or should say with all our hearts the less Credit
they give us the better the way to keep out of a large Debt is
not to credit for a small & they as well as we know that
nothing ever hurt Maryland more than the great Credit that
has been sometimes given us. I have written above what
occurs by way of Answer to any Objections that may be made

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 85

to the Law but if this should not, on my being acquainted more Letter Bk.
particularly with the Merch" Objections I promise myself I
shall be able to send an Answer entirely to His Ldps & their
Satisfaction.

I am very sorry to learn that any objections are made to the
Inspection Law & especially that it is represented to be a
Violation of the Act of Parliament made in Queen Anns Reign
to regulate in the Plantations the Value of forreign Silver Coin p. 65
with Sterling, however I hope you are long e'er this satisfied on
that account for as that Law of Queen Ann only ascertains the
value of forreign Silver with respect to Sterling Money, & our
Clause in the Inspection Law orders only what shall be the
proportion in discharging publick Debts between the Value of
Guineas, forreign Gold & Silver, & our Currency, I cannot con-
ceive that it can be construed at all repugnant to that Law ; if it
be I must observe that every Colony on the Continent who have
paper Money have long since been guilty of a Breach of that
Statute. Before Gold & Silver was ordered by the late Law
to be received at the Rate therein specified as often as it shall
be tendered in payment of publick Levies & Officers fees, every
Person that did not make Tob° (which numbers do not) was
obliged to pay his Levies or Debts of a publick nature in paper
Currency, which many being oftentimes not Masters of (as
there is not ^60000 issued & most of that in the hands of the
wealthy) they were obliged to pay their Gold & Silver at any
Rate their Creditors would please to affix or on such Occasions
be obliged to recur to any Person that would advance paper
Cash which the Possessors would not often do but on hard
Terms. By this Clause in the Law that Evil is remedied, there
is Gold & Silver enough in the Province for every one to dis-
charge his publick Debts & scarcely any other Money has
been since on that Account payed ; this has given great Ease
to the People, & all the Merch" here seem well satisfied with
the Regulation as they cannot possibly be Loosers while it is
left to their and any other Persons Option in Merchandizing &
trading to value the several Sorts of Money as they think p. 66
proper & require different Prices for their Commodities in
proportion, & a wide Difference they still make between paper,
& Gold or Silver Cash, tho not quite so great as before this
Law took place at which time indeed /'152 or a little more
Currency would purchase ^100" now from ^155 to 160 Cur^
is required to purchase a Bill of that Value ; but notwithstand-
ing this Law you cannot procure such a Bill of Exchange for
less than from ^162. 10 to 165 & sometimes more Gold or
Silver valued according to the Inspection Law, so that the
Difference at least between Paper & Gold or Silver Cur*"^ is
4 or 5 "p C That paper Cash seems to be fallen so much as

86 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. it really is with Comparison to Bills at this time which would
have somewhat depreciated the Curr'^^ tho the Law had not
passed; But the principal Reason of its being so much fallen
in Value is to be attributed to the Usurers being less able to
make Advantage of the necessities of the People by engrossing
what was designed to be perpetually circulating & delivering
it out at their own price to the People who could not do with-
out a Share of it to pay their publick Levies & Taxes, but not-
withstanding the Effect this Law has had on the paper Cur-
rency it is & will be still increasing till as you observe it be
taken at Thirty three & a Third as valued by the Law of 1733.
I cannot conclude this Topick without observing to you that
the Benefits which the People have experienced from this
Regulation of forreign Gold & Silver is so great as could it
have been foreseen would have left no Room for the Gent" of
the upper House to hesitate a Moment in giving their Consent
p. 67 to that as soon as to any part of the Bill. You have been
pleased to examine & consider the Arguments that have been
at several times advanced by both parties concerning the
Councillors Allowance & refer me to His Ldps Instructions,
wherein His Ldp is pleased to approve of the Councils making
a Concession in hopes of reconciling all Differences between
the two Houses concerning their several Claims for attending
the publick Service. To any Allowance as a Court of Appeals
or as a Council should they happen to sit in either Capacity
during any Session of Assembly, the Gent" of the Council long
since relinquished their Claims, but that Concession would by
no means satisfy the Expectations of the other House who
contend that the Council as a Council ought to receive no
Allowance or Salary at all (unless His Ldp should think proper
to reward their Services with any from his private purse) tho
for their Services while discharging their Duty to their Country
as an upper House they admit that they ought to receive a
Recompence. even those Concessions that the Lower House
insist on the Gent" of the Council in order to conciliate a
harmony are I am persuaded ready to make & to expect no
Consideration at all if His Ldp should be pleased to signify
such his pleasure or Inclinations. I hope you do not disapprove
of my past Conduct with respect to M' Evans; for as I had
been informed that some notes relative to the Dispute con-
cerning our Boundaries might be collected from the Records
of New York, His Ldp's repeated Injunctions on me to send
any papers that could be obtained having any Reference there-
p. 68 to, made me very anxious to procure them by any means; for
that purpose I engaged him as he had before tendered his
Service as He seemed to be somewhat acquainted with the
Controversy, which no Person here of any Capacity whose

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 87

Business could have permitted his absence on so distant Service Letter Bk. i.
seems to be: But to be as secure as possible against any
Deceit, I thought proper to order him to attest whatever could
be collected from the said Records after the Manner you have
I hope e'er this seen, w'^'' I thought would deprive him of the
power of falsifying, while the Interpreter a Man of good
Character at New York was also to authenticate the quotations
in the same manner. Upon this Service much more money
than I expected would be requisite was expended for the most
in discharging the Fees of the Office & the Expence of the
Interpreter ; but the Conclusion of your Paragraph on advanc-
ing Money for the future I shall well observe & be always
careful how I subject His Ldp to any Expences without having
first received his permission or Order. — I have not by me a
Copy of that Abstract ; but if I well remember that Hypothesis
of his "that Ld Baltimore & Mess" Penns at the time of
executing the Articles, considered the South Boundary of Pen-
silvania by the Patent to be in the Latitude 39° " is laid down
in order to draw therefrom a Conclusion in His Ldp's favour
concerning a Tract of Land west of the Fountain of Potowmack
& I apprehend that He might have been led to think what he p. 69
there supposes, from that Clause in the Tenth Section of the
Articles of Agreement, where speaking of the reciprocal Ces-
sions that were to be made; the Articles say "& on the other
hand The s*^ I Penn &c do by these presents for ever renounce
& quit Claim unto the s"* Charles Ld Baltimore &c all preten-
sions to the Province of Maryland to be so bounded as afore-
said viz on the Northward by a due East & West Line ran 1 5
Miles South of Philadelphia west to the west Extremity of the
Pensilvania Territories" which Line would terminate near Ohio
somewhere about the Spot where the French have built their
Fort on Monongahela as I have endeavoured to represent by
the Sketch of that Country herewith inclosed. I do not submit
this as countenancing Evans in the least, but to introduce an
Observation which I beg leave as from myself to offer to your
notice.

If the Penns claimed by their Patent any Land South of the
Degree Forty, which we are too sensible they have done even
where that Land was vested in Ld Baltimore by a prior Patent,
what hinders their claim to that Tract of Land (represented in
the Sketch by the shade marked A) which was not disposed of
by his Majesty before the Date of their Patent ; & this indeed
they do claim even away to Ohio, but if they oblige His Ldp
to abide by the Articles of Agreement; or upon any new
Agreement I think His Ldp may by the Agreement have some
pretensions to that no invaluable Country, as I apprehend that

88 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. is part of what is mentioned by the Penns to be by them ceded
P' ^° to Ld Baltimore in Lieu of what He had given up else-
where.— Least I should not have been accurate or particular
enough in a former Letter which the Tenor of His Ldps
Answer by his Instructions gives me reason to fear I was not;
before I give Orders for surveying more than one of the
Counties I must desire your advice on that matter. By Sur-
veying the Counties I only meant running the Out-Lines &
observing the principal Rivers & Streams, not running the
Courses of or resurveying every Patentees Land (which last
Operation or Process I am doubtful is expected but that would
cost a very considerable Sum) & by comparing the number of
Acres in each County (which may be known by my intended
Survey) with the Number of Acres patented from the Office &
charged in the Rent Rolls, I thought one should discover in
the Gross what Ouandty of Land was yet vacant or occupied
without the Occupants paying any Acknowledgment for the
same, & by our making this publick that People would be
induced to examine & look out for such vacant Lands & take
out Patent for the same, this was my Scheme & it would be
executed at the Expence I mentioned or a little more, which if
His Ldp approves of it shall immediately be put in execution. —
I have taken this Opportunity of transmitting Copies of the
Laws that were enacted in the two Sessions of Assembly held
last February & May as also Copies of the Proceedings of both
p. 71 Houses of Assembly at a Session held according to prorogation
the 16''' of July last at which dme I was induced or rather
obliged to meet them by the repeated Sollicitations of Gov''
Dinwiddle & by a piece of Intelligence that was just before
brought; " that a Body of 900 French & Indians had on the 3'*
of July attacked the Virginia Forces amounting to about 400
Men encamped on the Back part of that Province under the
Command of Col° Washington & after having killed &
wounded 100 of the English obliged him to surrender on very
hard terms. At the news of this Stroke many of our Back
Inhabitants as well as those in Virginia & Pensilvania were so
much alarmed as to talk of deserdng their Habitations. This
had some weight with our Assembly & they voted /■6000
Curr: for the Support of the Virginians in their Enterprize ;
The Bill for raising the Money which I have inclosed a Copy
of was lying before the Upper House when I received His
Ldp's Instructions, which would have occasioned my Dissent to
the Bill, had not the earnest Request of the Council & the
Consideration of what fatal Consequence our refusing any
longer to aid the Virginians must have been of to all the
neighbouring Colonies as well as Virginia who would not be
able without our Assistance to reinforce their Troops time

Correspondence of Governor Sharfie. 89

enough for them to look the Enemy again in the face before Letter Bk. i.
Winter: That the Lower House would suffer no Expunction
in the Bill was manifest from their late Conduct, & as that
Point with respect to the Ordinary Lycences had been conceded
by the Governor & Council heretofore in times of less immi-
nent Danger than the present there was too much Reason to p- 72
apprehend that by the Upper House's rejecting the Bill on that
Account they would have brought on the Colony severe Reflec-
tions from the neighbouring Governt^ Hiope His Ldp will not
be displeased that I assented to the Bill upon these Considera-
tions & the Assurances of the Gent" that this Bill would not at
all hinder or protract His Ldp's claiming or insisting on the
Fines upon Ordinary Lycences at the Expiration of the Law
made in 1746, by reason the Imposts laid by this Bill will sink
the ^6000 before the Sum ordered to be raised by that Law
can be collected from the Duties thereby imposed. The prin-
cipal Objection too that lay against the Bills that were in the two
last Sessions rejected was in this removed, & the point then
disputed is here given in his Ldps favour; I mean the Appro-
priation of forfeitures arising from a Breach of that part of the
Law which concerns Hawkers & Pedlars, for you will be
pleased to observe that half the Forfeitures only are to be
appropriated to the uses for which the Bill is calculated, & the
other Moiety to the Informer to be recovered by Indictment on
Information in the County Court where the Offence shall be
committed ; Now His Ldp being in such Case always the
Informer by his Attorney General or Clerk of Indictment the
Moiety consequently is appropriated to His Ldps Use & Dis-
posal.

Upon M'' Emory's Return from the Service in which I lately p. 73
engaged him I met the Gent" of the Council & again repeated
his Ldp's Desire that they would advise some Boundary to be
concluded on by His Ldp with the Proprietors of Pensilvania
in case His Ldp should be disposed to come to an amicable
Agreement thereon & I also acquainted them that in order to
their being better enabled to advise what Line or Lines may
be proper for his Ldp to agree on as Divisional Lines between
his Ldp's Lands & those which the Proprietors of Pensilvania
claim on the Peninsula East of Chesopeak Bay, I ordered M'
Emory to begin a Line at the Head of Elk River, & run South-
ward to the Head of the next River that falls into Chesopeak
Bay, & by measuring thence acquaint himself with the Dis-
tances between the several River Heads on the Western Side
of the Peninsula & also observe & discover how these several
River Heads would bear from each other, & from a Meridian
Line run from the Extremity of a twelve Mile Radius drawn
from the Centre of Newcasde. I informed them also that the

90 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Extremity of a 1 2 Mile Radius from Newcastle He could not
certainly learn by reason the Inhabitants of that part of the
Country under the Pensilvania Jurisdiction would not suffer
such Radius to be measured; but that in pursuance of my
Instructions He begun at a red Oak about two Miles Eastward
of the main Branch of Elk River said to be marked as the Ter-

p. 74 minating Tree to a 1 2 Mile West Radius from Newcastle run
by one M' Geo: Daker in 1732 that hence, He proceeded
according to Order so far Southward as Choptank Bridge &
from such actual Survey had discovered (as is delineated on
his Map) that a Due North & South Line begun from the
aforesaid Tree does intersect first two small Branches of Chris-
tine Creek, then leaving the principal Branch of Elk consider-
ably to the westward, it cuts at about forty perches below their
Mill Dams where a Canoe in a high Tide will pass, three small
Streams called Evans's Broad, & Back Creeks which flow into
that River : the said Line afterwards intersects two small Branches
of Bohemia just above the Landing beyond which a Canoe
will in a high Tide go about a quarter of a Mile. Sassafras
River is left entirely to the Westward of this Line; but it
crosses Chester far above Chester Bridge where the Run of
Water is very inconsiderable ; as Choptank terminates in a
Swamp soon after one passes above its Bridge, this Line does
not at all affect the navigation of that River ; neither doth it
approach near to the navigable water in the north west Fork
of Nanticoke; but the North East Fork of that River where it
is intersected by the Parallel of Latitude run from Indian River
is found to be Six perches wide & Six Feet deep so that a
large Sea Sloop will load within two Miles South of said
Paralel & that Branch is navigable for small Craft two miles
farther North than the place where the said Paralel inter-
sects it.

p. 75 After some time deliberating on this Map of Emory's &
comparing the Distance supposed by him to be between Elk
& Newcastle with the Distance which it was I am told (for cer-
tified I cannot get it) found to be some years since on an
Actual Resurvey & Mensuration of the several Tracts or Parcells
of Land occupied by Claimants under Pensilvania Jurisdiction,
(a Draught of which I herewith transmit) the Gent" agreed
with me to submit to his Ldps Consideration if a Composition
is thought of the following Proposals for dividing the Penin-
sula East of Chesopeak Bay between his Ldp & the Proprie-
tors of Pensilvania — Be a due East & West Line run as in
Emorys Map across the Peninsula from Indian River & from a
Point of such Line two Furlongs (or more as can be agreed)
eastward of the North East Fork of Nanticoke where it is inter-
sected by said East & West Line, let a Line be run North or

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 91

North two Degrees West at farthest (variation being allowed Letter Bk. i.
for) till it touches Newcastle Circle & if Mess'' Penns refuse to
have such Line (being a Secant of the Circle) continued direct
northward as a Boundary between the Territories or three
lower Counties & Maryland (which should be contended for)
Let a due North Line be run from the Extremity of a New-
castle 12 Mile Radius to the present temporary Line or any
other Line that may be agreed on by the Proprietaries as a
North Boundary to this Province & South Boundary to that of
Pensilvania, & let all the Land included within the Newcasde p. 76
Circle be ceded to Mess'' Penns & all the Land westward of
the said Secant & said Meridian run from the Extremity of the
Newcasde Radius & without the Perephery of the Circle be
confirmed by Mess" Penn to Ld Baltimore. — You will be
pleased to observe that we could not have any Certainty with
respect to the Radius from Newcastle on which the Position of
the Perephery depends, so that should the Peninsula prove less
that 14 miles wide from Newcastle to the Meridian of the East-
ernmost part of the Branch of Elk River (which is the Distance
supposed to be between them & allowed in Emory's Map) the
perephery of the Circle may possibly affect the three Creeks
that flow into Elk River if not Elk itself. This Deficiency in
our knowledge you will perceive is also taken notice of in the
Resolve of the Council of which as it contains also my Senti-
ments I herewith transmit you a Copy. As it appears from
M' Cressaps Map lately transmitted that the present tempo-
rary Line does not intersect any navigable water there does
not seem to be any Room for us to advise on that point, be-
cause you can have as clear & distinct an Idea of the Benefits
that this Province would receive from being extended farther
than the Temporary Line Northw** as any Person resident on
the Spot can possibly have.

I have obeyed his Ldps Instruction whereby I was ordered
to constitute M"^ Dulany joint Commissary with M' Tasker &
acquainted them with His Ldp's Desire & Expectations from p. 77
them in what relates to you, & all the other Instructions which
His Ldp has been pleased to give, shall always be answered
with my most punctual Obedience.

As His Ldp has signified an earnest Desire to have some
more Tracts of Land erected into mannours in the several parts
of the Province, I beg leave to acquaint you that in 1669 a con-
siderable Extent of Country was laid out on Nandcoke & Chop-
tank Rivers & appropriated by Act of Assembly afterwards to
the use of a Nation of Indians inhabiting there till they should
be extinct or choose to desert it at which Period of dme it
should revert to the Ld Proprietary excepdng any Part or par-
cel of it that might before that time have been patented, which
part will then return to the lawful Heir if any be : you will be

92 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. pleased to acquaint My Lord therewith, & as these Indians
may possibly in a few years be no more, His Ldp will perhaps
be pleased to erect it into a Manour before that time tho he
cannot sett any Parcells of it out to Tenants till it be by the
present Inhabitants entirely relinquished — As there are some
Persons in the Province who have offered to apply & take out
Lycence for Piloting in the Rivers of this Province, upon Con-
dition His Ldp will forbid & prevent all other Persons who
do not take Lycence from engaging themselves as Pilots to
navigate Vessels up & down the several Rivers as well as the
Bay; You will be pleased to direct me how to proceed in this

p- 78 Affair & what Steps must be taken to prevent any Person not
having Lycence from acting in that Capacity : If the Merch"
would order all their Captains to take none but Lycenced
Pilots where such are to be had, or if a Policy of Insurance
could ever be forfeited by the Masters Refusal to take a
Lycenced Pilot where such a one was to be procured we should
find little Difficulty in executing his Ldps Instructions on this
Head, but if that be not Merchant Law & the Merch"* will not
comply with the first Supposition, You will oblige me with your
Opinion & that of the Lawyers, whether His Ldp by his Pre-
rogative cannot forbid & prevent any Persons piloting without
Lycence, for unless such a Prohibition can be laid, no person
will apply for, or accept any Lycence at all, & if this be deter-
mined as I hope it will, you will be pleased also to acquaint me
with the Mode (that may be advised) or manner of prosecuting
or punishing such as shall continue to pilot in Opposition to
His Ldp's Prohibition, & you may be assured there shall on my
part be no Delay in asserting his Ldp's Right & Prerogative.

In my Letter dated last February I observed to you that it
had been found impracticable to disposses Persons of any
Surplusage Land, which they hold by Patents, in which such
Land is described by natural Boundaries, tho the Patents should
err considerably in the number of Acres contained therein
many Persons that were willing to join to their Tract some

p. 79 contiguous Land have taken out Warrant of Resurvey for the
Original Tract with Lycence to include any adjacent Vacancy
in their Resurvey; but there are I find by strict Enquiry among
the Inhabitants many Gent" who hold large Tracts of Land as
Surplus under extensive old Patents, who never will resurvey
the same upon the Condidons that are at present insisted on
by the Agent before He grants Warrant of Resurvey ; who
requires on such Occasions the Arrearages for such Surplus
from the Date of the Patent: but if His Ldp would permit the
Patentee to have Warrant of Resurvey for his Land, upon
Condition he shall pay for the Surplus henceforward at the
original reserved Rent, there are none hardly in possession of
Surplus Land I am well informed but would immediately take

Correspo7idence of Governor Sharpe. 93

out Warrant of Resurvey. This would be an immediate &
perpetual Increase of His Ldps Revenue from Quit Rents & I
submit to your Consideration whether it would not be much
for his Ldps Advantage, as it would also make pretty well
known what Vacancy there is in each County. I have hinted
my Opinion hereon to Col° Lloyd & desired he will against our
next meeting consider of it that we may be then able to write
more particularly on this Matter.

I am &c.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

9" Aug'' 1754.
Sir

You will be pleased herewith to receive 4 Bills of Exchange
for ^i 25. which I hope will be paid without hesitation. I have
also taken the Liberty to commit to your Care the Writings
that M' Brerewood desired me to send him. The Pacquet to

Cleveland Esq Sec^ to the Admiralty which contains a

small quantity of money for some Mediterranean Passes &
some old papers that are out of Date you will I am persuaded
be kind enough to have carefully delivered at his Office. I have
also inclosed for his Ldp & you a State of the present Offices
held under his Ldps Govern' noting their respective Values
p Ann. The Plan is not quite perfect by reason some Acci-
dent has prevented my being informed of the Value of a few
of the Offices, w*^*" I will however endeavour to learn as soon as
possible & acquaint you therewith. No Gratitude is wanting
on M' Ridouts part for your kind Disposition to serve him
which nothing but the fear of being thought presumptuous or
impertinent hindered him from expressing to you himself — I
have given His Ldp a pretty particular Account of the Cam-
paign that the Virginians have made this Summer on the Back
of these Provinces but leave it to your Care to acquaint His
Ldp with what I have writ concerning his private Affairs as
well as the publick Transactions in this Govern' & to know
that His Ldp & you approve of the Part I have acted therein
would most sensibly delight —

SirYr. — —

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

2^ of Sept' 1754.
My Lord

As nothing worthy notice has occurred in the short time that
has elapsed since I lately had the honour of writing to your
Ldp but every thing both in & on the Frontiers of your Ldps
Province in the same Situation they then were I have not any

94 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. thing to trouble your Ldp with at present but a Request that
your Ldp will be pleased to accept of a Pipe of Madeira Wine
herewith sent from your Ldps mo' obliged & mo' devoted
Servant.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]
2^ of Sept' 1754. transmitted by Capt. Creagh.
S'

Herewith you will be pleased to receive Duplicates of all
the Laws which were passed in the two Sessions of Assembly
that were held at Annapolis in Feb" & May last & I have also
by this same Conveyance transmitted Copies of all the Laws
being twelve in number which were enacted in the last Session
at Annapolis concluded the 25''' of July as every one of them
are only reviving & continuing Acts except that for his
Majestys Service of which I before transmitted a Copy with
some Observadons in a Letter thereon; there does not seem
to be any farther room for nodcing or remarking upon those
that are now inclosed. The short time that has intervened
p. 82 since I writ last, has not afforded new matter for another Letf
but lest there should seem to be any Contrariety between a
Clause in my last & a Paragraph in my Lett' of Feb>' I beg
leave to observe that when I intimated in that first Lett' that
the Sum of Money ordered to be sunk by the Law concerning
Ordinaries passed in 1746 might in a year or two be expected
to be discharged by the said Law, I had received such informa-
tion from the Gent" whom I consulted thereon, but in reality
found by the Scrutiny & Examinadon which the Lower House
have since made & Submitted to me, that the Gent" had been
out three or four years in their Calculation. I have not yet
heard any thing of M' Copp mentioned in His Ldps Instruc-
tions of January, nor of the Rev"* M' Rosse of whom you spake
in your favour of April the 17''' Affairs with respect to the
Disturbances on the back of these Provinces are in the same
Situation they were in at the time of my last writing, the
French are strengthening themselves & building several Forts
on Monongahela & Ohio, & we learn they have begun one on
Green Brier River which is actually within Augusta County in
Virginia & is pretty well inhabited by English Settlers. The
French it seems claim to the very Fountain Heads of Monon-
gahela, Youghyoghgyina & all the Streams flowing into Ohio
or Missisippi, so that their Pretensions extend to a great
number of Acres within this Province which I am afraid no
Person will be prevailed on to take up till the French be
obliged to relinquish the Forts they have already built on those
Rivers. Pensilvania will lose a vast quantity of Land if their

Correspondence of Gover7ior Sharpe. 95

incroachments are not suppressed & prevented, yet nothing Letter Bk.i.
have they contributed toward supporting the Cause; but New i^- ^^
York Gov' has voted for the Gov' of Virginia's use five thou-
sand Pounds, & it is expected the Assembly of Virginia which
is now sitting will pass an Act for 20,000 or 30000'^ at least ;
in that Case I hope with our Assistance Gov' Dinwiddle will
be able to make a vigorous Effort before Winter & repulse
these Troops, whose Progress has already strangely terrified
our back Inhabitants, many of whom conceive themselves in
immediate Danger. Our Company is near half compleated &
I purpose soon to order them out to the Frontiers of Frederick
County, where Col° Cressap has contracted to supply them
with Provisions. I have given the Command thereof to one
Capt. Dagworthy a Gent" born in the Jerseys, who commanded
a Company raised in that Province for the Canada Expedition
since the miscarriage of which he has resided in this Province
upon an Estate which he purchased in Worcester County; I have
placed under him 3 Lieutenants & I hope our Company will
not in any respect make the worst Appearance of any on the
Expedition. Inclosed are Seconds of four Bills of Exch. sent
with my last to the amount of ^125 which I hope you will
safely receive, & I will for the future send my Bills rather
before the Day appointed if possibly I can, lest the Delay of
them should at any time put you to inconvenience which would
give very great uneasiness to S' &c

I have taken the Liberty to direct for his Ldp a pipe of the
best Madeira wine that I could procure, W'' I hope his Ldp will
do me the honour to accept & you will be kind enough upon
the Captains Application to let him have the inclosed Bill of
Lading to get it signed & returned me. H S.

[Dinwiddle to Sharpe.] original.

Virg^ Williamsburg Sept' s'"" 1754
S'

Y' kind fav° of the 20"^ of Aug'' I rec"* & should have
answered before this, but waited the result of our assembly,
which I prorogu'd yesterday, after doing Nothing to support
the present Expedition.

On their first meeting they seemed greatly inclined to give
a handsom supply, I pressed the absolute Necessity thereof
with all the Interest I had & they accordingly voted 20,000
which gave me much Pleasure ; but the Day after, on the third
reading of the Bill, they loaded it with a Rider for paying Pay-
ton Randolph Esq' (the Person they sent Home to complain
against me) ^2500, as the Council had formerly rejected a

96 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Resolve for that sum, they could not in Hon' pass this as a
Rider to a Money Bill for a Supply to His Majesty which is
inconstitutional & therefore rejected it. I took all the Pains in
my Power to convince them of the Irregularity of their Pro-
ceedings by acquainting them that the Resolve for that sum
with their other resolves, lay now with the King & Council ; it
was therefore out of our Hands & we could not meddle with it
till we heard the Determination of the Council thereon ; but
all the Arguments I cou'd use availed Nothing, they were
obstinate & by no means wou'd send the Bill without the Rider
to the Council, on which I was obliged to prorogue them till
the 17"' of October, when I hope they will come in better Tem-
per ; & before that Time I expect a Kings Ship with M' Dobbs
Gov' of N. Carolina, & by him probably shall have Ace' of all
the Affairs that lie before the Council.

The Plan of operations that I proposed for this Fall are
entirely defeated, i" By the N. Carolina Forces disbanding
themselves; which was occasioned by a monstrous mismanage-
ment of them from the Beginning: They raised 12,000 the
President of that Colony gave the private Men 3/ ProcP Money
"p Day, & the officers in Proportion, so that their Money was
wholly expended before they joined the other Forces, & wou'd
serve no longer without Assurance of the above Pay ; This is
monstrous ill Conduct, & the more so, because I wrote the
President the Establishment of the Pay of our Forces. Next is
the reduction of the Number of our regiment those killed &
the Wounded unfit for Service, & Desertion, which has reduced
their Number to 150. — If the 20,000 had passed, I fully
intended to augment our regiment to eight Companies of 70
Men each, which, with officers wanted, wou'd have made 600
Men, & in course made up the Deficiency occasioned by the N.
Carolina People ; but the obstinacy of our Assembly has
defeated my Intentions, & am now perswaded that no Expedi-
tion can be conducted here, with Dependence on American
Assemblies, I have therefore wrote to that Purpose Home, ^
have proposed a British Act of Parliament, to compell the Sub-
jects here to obedience to His Majesty's Comands, & to pro-
tect their Properties from the Insults of the French, by proper
supplies & a vigorous resistance, who no doubt will take
advantage of our Divisions, & I much dread their Incursions
among our Inhabitants this Winter.

Under these great Disappointments, I determine to keep the
few People we have in Pay ; & propose one hundred of them
to march to Wills's Creek, to join the Independ' Companies, &
to endeavour to secure a Pass over the Allegany Mountains by
erecting a Fort leaving a sufficient Number of Men therein with
a proper Quantity of Provisions to facilitate our operations next

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 97

Spring, which is all I think possible to be done now, but I shall
be greatly obliged for your advice herein ; as I am sensible of
your Knowledge in Military Affairs.

I have earnesdy wrote Home for Assistance of Men &
Money, with' which I dread our Success ; as also for a proper
Supply of Ordnance Stores for we have none here suited for a
Campaign or a Siege, which will be much wanted to dispossess
the French of the Fort at Monongehela.

I have Complaints from our Frontiers in Augusta County of
many ParUes of Indians &c. Robbing & ill treaUng our
People, have therefore ordered a Comp'" of our Regiment
there to assist & protect them.

A Governor in the Discharge of His Duty to his King &
Country, is much to be pitied, when it's considered his Trans-
actions with an obstinate Assembly ; full of their own opinions,
& entirely deaf to Arguments & reason; I assure you I am
heartily fatigued & quiet weary with the unjust opposition to
every Thing proposed to them for the Gen' Good, & without
the Government take some Steps to assist us I fear the Con-
sequence from the indefatigable Modons of the Enemy.

The Establishment of the Pay to your Forces I think very
equitable I have ordered Col" Innes to take Possession of the
Ohio Company's Warehouse which will make a very good
Magazine, & we had better pay rent than begin to build, have
directed a Breast Work & the great Guns to be mounted for
Defence ; & if they can build a Shed round it, may be proper
for the Soldiers to lodge in ; & to proceed to the Mountains to
build a Fort to secure a Pass by the Time we can collect a suf-
ficient Force to attack the Enemy, to do it with the few Men
we have, I think would be sacrificing their Lives.

I am glad you have directed the opening the new road from
Rock Creek, which must be of great Service. I am an entire
Stranger to the back Country, but have desired Col° Innes to
get the best Information he can & to write me fully thereon —
There is no Doubt but the French will do all in their Power to
stop the Passes over the Mountains & endeavour to intercept
our Provisions &c'' I therefore am of opinion with our hand-
full of Men, we can only be on the Defensive till we increase
our Numbers ; & would willingly hope on next Meedng of our
Assembly, they will more seriously consider their danger, &
grant a Supply without any Clogg ; but really their Behaviour
this Session gives me a bad opinion of them.

Your Scheme is very just & intirely agreeable to me, but
without Men & Money I cannot tell how to conduct myself &
indeed it gives me very real Concern —

You may please to direct your Men for two Months as you
may think most suitable, after that, the Season of the Year will

98 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

prevent any Thing further to be done ; but if I can obtain a Sup-
ply from our Assembly, I wou'd propose raising our Numb' as
before & to be at Wills's Creek in Feb"^' to be ready for Action
before the French can be reinforc'd from Ouebeck, as I under-
stand they cannot come down the rivers till the end of Aprill
or Beginning of May — Pray under our present bad situation &
Disappointm' be so kind to give me y' candid Advice how to
Act, for I really am oppress'd with Concern on the Conduct of
our Assembly.

I remain with very great Esteem & just regard

Y' Excellency's
Most obedient hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddle

P. S. If a few of your Men were ordered to
Wills's Creek to join the other Forces may
probably facilitate their undertakings
either in building a Fort or other Services.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p. 84

1 5"^ of Sept' 1 754 transmitted also by Capt Creagh —
S'

In my Letter of the 2^ I made known to you our general
Expectations from the Virginia Assembly who were then con-
vened: since which time I have been informed by Governor
Dinwiddle that all his Endeavours to incite them to advance a
Sum of Money for the Expedition have proved unsuccesful.
Soon after their meeting it seems they voted ^20,000 for the
Service but in preparing a Bill for that purpose they inserted a
Clause for Discharging ^2500 which had been advanced by
the Speaker & several Members to the Attorney Genl. at his
Embarkation for England. This was look't on by the Cover'
& Council as a most extravagant Requisition, 'Fhe Bill was
accordingly rejected & the Governor thereupon thought proper
to prorogue them to the 17"" of October in hopes of receiving
by that time some farther Instructions from home for his Con-
duct, if not Men or Money for the Service. This Accident has
removed all thoughts of any thing's being done or attempted
against the French this Summer. The most our Forces can
execute will be the building a Fort to secure a Pass thro the
Mountains which might facilitate our Operations next Spring,

p. 85 this I beleive will be the Business of the three independant
Companies from New York & South Carolina amounting to
about 260 Men. The North Carolina Companies are all ex-
cepting 40 or 50 Men disbanded ; the Money that was granted
for their Subsistance being nearly expended. & the 300 Vir-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 99

ginia Soldiers are by the late Engagement by Deaths & by Letter Bk. i.
Desertion reduced to 140; 100 of whom the Governor will
order out as a flying Camp to protect the Frontiers of Virginia
this Winter; & the other rendezvous at Wills Creek, whither
our 50 Men (for upon the Receipt of Gov' Dinwiddies Letf I
declined compleating the Company) are also sent to discipline
themselves till there is a prospect of our acting with any proba-
bility of Success, when I propose to render the Company per-
fect which can be done at any time in 3 weeks or a month.
This perverseness of the Virginia Assembly has induced the
Gover' to apply home as I am told some other Governors have
also done for an Act of the British Legislature to be obligatory
upon all the Govern'' equally, & compel them to contribute
their Quotas for the Defence & Protection of their Properties
& His Majesty's American Dominions against any intruding
Enemies. If it should be thought proper to bring in a Bill for
that purpose the next Session of Parliament it is possible
if not probable that one of these Methods might be pro-
posed for raising a Fund in the several Provinces, By
imposing an equal Poll Tax or By a Duty on the Importa-
tion of Spirituous Liquors & Wines or an Excise on such as p. 86
may be either imported to or made on the Continent which
indeed I think the most preferable; Or By a Stamp Duty or
something similar to it on Deeds & Writings if such a Pro-
posal as this last mentioned should be made, it would be well
to guard against any Words being incerted in the Bill, that may
be construed to affect Patents for Land ; & it would I conceive
be proper for the Law to order the Enrollment of all Deeds of
Bargain & Sale & to invalidate all Deeds of Trust unless they
be also properly stamped & enrolled as well as Deeds of Sale
in the Provincial or County Clerks Office, where I apprehend
the Stamp or Seal ought to be lodged. Deeds of Bargain &
Sale are indeed ordained to be enrolled already by a Law of
this Province passed in 1715 : but to avoid the Loss that would
attend a Non-Enrollment & at the same time to excuse them-
selves from an Alienation Fine to his Ldp: Deeds of Trust are
many times given by the Inhabitants which are equivalent to a
Deed of Sale enrolled & moreover can be given or received
without the Parties satisfying the Fine due to His Ldp where
Lands are thereby conveyed : This is an Evil which will never
I am afraid be provided against by a Maryland Assembly but
would be easily prevented by such an Act of Parliament which p. %■,
would in that respect render his Ldp some Benefit & Service.
These Hints I have taken the Liberty to submit to you in Case
the British Legislature should think proper to interfere in this
American Contention more than it has hitherto done — & I beg
leave also to ask your Sentiments (upon the Supposition that it

lOO Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. might hereafter be practicable to procure a Law to oblige the
Sheriffs to collect His Ldp's Quit Rents at the same Rate as is
allowed them for publick Debts & Levies (at present 6 p C')
whether His Ldp would be inclined or averse to accepting a
Law of that nature

I am S' &c

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

Letter to His Lordsp given M' Calvert to transmit by M' Gal-

laway dated 27 Sept 1754.
My Lord

M' Calvert having expressed to me great Apprehensions
that some one or other has taken the Liberty to misrepresent
his Behaviour & Conduct to your Ldp and shewn much
uneasiness on that Account, at the same time desiring me can-
didly to submit to your Ldp my sentiments with respect to his
Conduct since my Arrival in the Province hoping a fair Repre-
sentation thereof might advance him in your Ldps favour &
good Graces: Your Ldp will excuse me for troubling you at
p. ss this time by assuring your Ldp that for my Part I am entirely
ignorant of any Transaction of M' Calvert but such as shews
him to have your Ldps Interest at heart neither has he since I
have known him by any means opposed such measures as have
been proposed for the Advancement of your Ldps Service.

I am &c.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

Sept' 1754. Transmitted by M' Gallaway in Capt. Biggs.

Sir:

Your Favour by M'" Graham who I learn is safe arrived, I
have just now received & have immediately thereupon in
Obedience to His Ldps Pleasure ordered Comm" to be made
out to M' Charles Graham as Naval Officer of Pocomoke, &
have sent to him desiring to see him at Annapolis to give the
usual Security & enter upon his Office; I have spoke to M'
Tasker about the Office of Surveyor Gen' of the Eastern Shore
which he has held only nominally & after I have taken an early
opportunity of seeing M" Graham I will either appoint M'
Graham to the Office or if M'^ Graham chooses let the place
be still held by Col° Tasker but take care that the futur:
profitts as well as the Arrears of that Office be paid to here
This I shall do with very great pleasure as well in Obedience
p. 89 to His Ldps Will & your Desire as out of regard to M'' Gra-
ham herself to whose Ease & happiness I shall receive the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. loi

greatest Satisfaction from contributing. M' Tasker informs me Letter Bk.

that He remitted some Montlis since & hopes you have eer

this received what you were pleased to mention to me in the

Postscript to your last Letter. Affairs on our Frontiers are

just in the same Situation that I described in my Letter of the

is"" Inst& I beleive must so remain unless any measures that

may be taken at home shall afford us a better Prospect.

With Duplicates of the Laws enacted at the last Session of
Assembly I have inclosed a Plat of the Mannour called Lady
Baltimores Mannour or Lord Baltimores Gift in Baltimore
County hoping you will be able to find & transmit the Original
Patent which might prevent some Disputes that will very
probably otherwise arise from I doubt an Error of the Clerk
who recorded the Surveyors Certificate of the Limitts of the
Mannour in the Land Office ; for in a Deed of Sale to M'
Brerewood of this Mannour signed by Thomas Brerewood Jun.
& Charlotte Brerewood dated the 31'' of August 1731 The
Mannour Bounds are described to be different from those
Specified in the said Surveyors Certificate. I have inclosed a
Piatt of the Mannour to shew more clearly in what the
Boundaries differ which is only with respect to one Course
noted in the Piatt C. D. described by the Surveyors Return
to extend 420 Perches by M' Brerewoods Deed only 1 20
Perches.

The Mannour has always been deemed & looked upon by p. 90
every Body till lately to be limited as it is represented to be by
the dotted red Lines & His Ldp has always received the Rents
from the several Tenants who are setled on the Land marked
A A which is fertil & better than any other Part of the Man-
nour; but some time since the Person whose Tract by Patent
is situate & lies close on that part of the Mannour having
searched the Land Office & found the Surveyors original
Description of the Courses at the time the Mannour was
erected, insists that the Land A A belongs to him & is included
in his Patent, whereupon He has thought proper to enjoin the
several Tenants thereon inhabiting to pay no more Rent for
the Land they cultivate to any Person but himself or his Order.
This being the Case you will be pleased to direct what must
be done in the Affair if the Original patent cannot be found
which would at once remove all foundation of Dispute. I have
at M' Calverts Sollicitation given him a Letter which I have
taken the liberty to write to his Ldp ; declaring myself entirely
ignorant of & unacquainted with any Behaviour or Transac-
tions of his, contrary to his Ldps Interest since my Arrival in
his Ldps Province ; which M' Calvert was apprehensive had
been unfairly represented to his Prejudice, & as there is a very
good understanding between us notwithstanding the Affair I

I02 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. took the Liberty in my Letters dated feb'' lo"" to represent to
his Ldp & yourself, I could not upon his Request refuse to
p- 91 submit to his Ldp the Contents of the abovementioned Letter.
Herewith you will be pleased to receive an Account of the
Exportations from this Province in the year 1753. I did intend
to have sent a similar account of the Importations, & made a
Calculation of the Number of Seamen employed in the Trade
of the Province & as far as Possible stated the Ballance of
Trade between us & the several Places we trade to, but it being
not compleat I hope you will excuse my deferring to transmit
it till the next opportunity of Conveyance.

I am &c.

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

Letter to His Ldp inclosing one to S' Tho'' Robinson dated at
Williamsburg in Virginia Ocf 25. 1754.

My Lord

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Ldp's Commission & private Instruction bearing Date the 6""
of July together with His Majesty's gracious Commission to
me to take the Command of the Forces that shall be raised on
this part of the Continent to protect his Majesty's Dominions
from the Encroachments & Devastations of his presumptuous
Enemies. Having endeavoured to express my gratitude for
His Majestys favour in a Letf to S' Tho' Robinson which your
Lordsp will be pleased to deliver, I beg your Ldp will not
refuse at the same time to accept my thanks & most grateful
Acknowledgments for your Ldp's kind Indulgence to me & so
readily consenting to dispense with my attendance on the
p- 92 Administration of your Ldp's Govern' in Case His Majesty's
Commands & Service should require my Absence from your
Ldps Province. I have taken the Liberty to inclose your Ldp
a Copy of my Letter to His Majestys Secretary of State & to
acquaint your Ldps Secretary with the Steps I have taken &
am about to follow in pursuance of your Lordship's permitting
me to accept His Majestys Commission. Your Ldp will not I
hope entertain the least Apprehensions that your Ldps Interest
or Service may be in any respect neglected by my acceptance
of His Majestys Commission or that I will ever whether present
in or absent from the Province desist from endeavouring to
promote to the utmost of my power your Ldp's Interest &
honour & the welfare of your Ldps Province & at all times to
pay the most punctual Obedience to whatever Instructions &
Commands you may at any time be pleased to have signified
to your Ldp's most devoted &c.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 103

[Sharpe to Calvert.] Lette.

Williamsburg in Virginia Oct' 25. 1754.
transmitted by Capt. Yuill.
S'

I have taken this Opportunity of requesting His Ldpto pre-
sent to Sir Tho' Robinson my Acknowledgment for His Majes-
tys Commission (which I have lately been honored with) in a p- 93
Letter of which I have inclosed His Ldp a Copy in one which
you will be pleased to present to himself Governor Dobbs who
brought me His Majesty's & His Ldps Commission dated the
6'*' of July with your kind Favour of the same Date arrived
at this Place but the y"' Inst. The Garland Man of War
having met with a very severe Storm off of this Coast (in which
Her Main-Mast was carried away by the Board) that prevented
her reaching Virginia in less than 12 weeks after her De-
parture from Spithead. As soon as Governor Dinwiddle sig-
nified to me that M' Dobbs was arrived & that His Majesty's
Pleasure would be obeyed by my coming to Williamsburg
before Cover' Dobbs should depart for North Carolina I im-
mediately took the Liberty to leave Annapolis & came hither
the 19"" Inst, where I have been entirely taken up ever since
in consulting with those Gent" on the most expedient Measures
for promoting His Majesty's Service & in making preparations
for putting those measures in Execution. As you will have
submitted to your perusal the Copy of my Letter to Sir Tho'
Robinson I hope I shall be excused for not mentioning what
Plan of Operations is agreed on here, & for hastening to pay
you my most sincere thanks for the favour of your kind Letter
& your earnest wishes for my Success & Prosperity therein so
ardently expressed. You will do me the Justice to believe p. 94
that your kind Remembrance of me to get my name men-
tioned to His Majesty makes no slight Impression on my
mind ; & you will not I flatter myself in the least doubt but it
will be always my constant Study to deserve the Continuance
of a Share of your Esteem & Regard, as well as to approve
myself not entirely unworthy of the honour that His Majesty
has been pleased to confer on me. You will be obliging-
enough to assure His Lordship that I will not in the least
neglect His Ldps Affairs & that in case I do at any time
absent myself from His Ldp's Province for a short time I will
not fail to leave the President such of his Ldps & other In-
structions as may be requisite & conducive to the Advancement
of His Ldp's honour & Interest & the good Administration of
the Affairs of his Government. Your Desire that I will keep
up a frequent Correspondence with yourself I will most punc-
tually comply with & will let slip no opportunity of acquainting

I04 Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe.

Letter Bk. I. you as Well as his Ldp with our Transactions in the Field or
what plan of Operations we may at any time propose to per-
sue. The Assembly of this Province are now met & have
voted the Sum of ^20000 Gold Curr*" for the Encouragement
of the Service which Sum with the money remitted Governor
Denwiddie from home & the ^5000 granted by the Province
of New York will enable us to compleat 700 Men exclusive of
the independant Companies immediately & I do not despair
p- 95 of finding at my Return the Gendemen of our Assembly dis-
posed to make an Addition to the /6000 which they were
induced at their last Meeting to grant & I hope the other
neighbouring Colonies will no longer decline joining heartily
in the Service, tho I am indeed still apprehensive that nothing
of very great importance can be effected unless we are sup-
ported with some Troops from home which I most earnestly
wish His Majesty & Council would think proper to order over
that our unquiet aspiring Enemy might perceive that their
Vicinity to these Parts of His Majesty's Dominions will be on
no account connived at or endured. As I propose to leave
this Place Monday or Tuesday next & by the first Opportunity
that shall offer after my Return to Annapolis to write again I
will hope to be excused for not protracting this Letter farther
than to assure you that I am with the highest Respect &
Esteem &c.

Letter Bk. 1
P-

[Sharpe to Sir Thomas Robinson.]
Williamsburg in Virginia Ocf 25"* 1754.

Right Honourable

I take the Liberty by this first Opportunity most gratefully
to acknowledge the Receipt of His Majesty's most gracious
Favour which was presented me by Gover' Dobbs last Satur-
day together with a Letter which yourself was pleased to
honour me with the s'*" of July. I intreat you to assure His
Majesty that no one can be more truly sensible of the honour
He has been pleased to confer on me than I am & that it shall
be my constant Study & Endeavour to manifest the most
dutiful & punctual Obedience to His Royal Pleasure now
signified to me & to whatever future Commands & Instructions
I may have the Satisfaction to receive. On Governor Din-
widdies intimating to me the Receival of His Majestys Orders
I immediately set out for this place to take his Advice how I
may best execute the Commission I found myself honoured
with, for His Majestys Service & to consult with him about
taking the most expedient measures for the Defence of His
Majestys Dominions on the Continent at this time & with the

Correspondence of Coventor Sharpe. 105

small Force that we shall be able to collect this Winter or early Letter Bk. 11.
in the ensuing Spring.

In pursuance of His & Governor Dobbs's Advice & Appro-
bation I propose if possible to raise 700 Men immediately who
will I hope (if a very severe Season does not soon set in) be
able in Conjunction with the 3 Independant Companies to carry
the Fort called Fort Du Ouesne which the French have built
upon the River Monongahela before a Reinforcement can be p. 4
sent the Garrison from Canada or the French Settlements in
that part of the Continent which they call Louisiana. This one
Scheme & erecting a Fortress which we conceive absolutely
necessary on an Island in the River Ohio opposite to Duquesne
Fort is all that I can entertain very sanguine hopes of being
able to execute with so small a number of Men as will I appre-
hend (unless some Draughts be sent from England) compleat
the Corps that will be under my Direction; as most of these
will be required in Case our Enterprize succeeds, to garrison
the two Forts above mentioned & one that is already begun at
a Place called Wills-Creek on Potomack River, designed to be a
Magazine for the Troops that shall be employed in the Service ;
But if the several Colonies should be persuaded to increase
our American Forces enough in the Spring to afford us a
Prospect of making a succesful Attempt upon the Fort that
the French have compleated on Buffaloe River near Lake Erie
you will be pleased to think that I will with the greatest
Alacrity prosecute that Service tho I must at present confess
that the Strength of the Enemy in those parts, their superiour
knowledge of the Country which is likely to be the Scene of
Action & their numerous Alliances among the Indian nations
forbid me to flatter myself unless the Colonies grant Supplies
beyond my Expectations with hopes of any very important
Successes against our Enemy, who are strengthened by
unanimity among themselves, upon this Consideration I cannot
indeed but entertain some Suspicion that these His Majestys
Dominions can never be effectually secured from the Encroach-
ments of the French & Devastations of their Indian Allies,
farther Hostilities on our distant & scattered Inhabitants & p. s
such Indians as may venture to declare in our favour be pre-
vented & a free Trade with the natives which we are now
threatened to be entirely deprived of ensured to us unless the
Enemy be compelled to relinquish at once the several Fort-
resses that they have built on the Lakes & Rivers behind us
& we take possession of & garrison them ourselves. But as I
look on this as too great a Design to be executed or ever
attempted with such Assistance & Supplies only as the several
Colonies will be prevailed on to advance without they be sup-
ported by such a Body of Troops from home as I dare not

io6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. presume to hope for the Direction of I forbear saying any
more on such a Scheme but confine my hopes, with a Resolu-
tion to endeavour to shew myself not entirely unworthy of the
Charge with which His Majesty has been pleased already to
entrust me & to remove if possible the Fears of Danger from
His Majestys Subjects setled in this part of the Continent with
which they are at present not a little affected, tho I must con-
fess I am not without Apprehensions that if the Enemy shall
find us superiour to them here they will bend their Force
against his Majesty's Dominions on Ontario Lake the
Mohocks & Hudsons River which are I am afraid but too open
& exposed & may become too easy a Conquest unless the Six
Indian nations will heartily join the Inhabitants of New York
& defend the Frontiers of that Province at least till we are able
to send them our Aid & Assistance, that I have in the pre-
ceeding part of this Letter mentioned some places without
giving an Accurate Description of their Situation & Distance
you will be pleased to attribute to my having hitherto wanted
p. 6 the opportunity of getting Intelligence of the Situation as well
as Strength of the Enemy's Forts & Settlements on the Lakes,
Rivers, & inland Country which have offered themselves to
His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor of Virginia to whom I must
beg Liberty to leave that part till my hopes are gratified which
I indulge myself in of being able very shortly to write more
particularly & satisfactorily thereon myself. As there is great
Room to fear that the Disputes which have arisen & still sub-
sist between the Independant Companies & the Troops which
the Colonies have raised on this Occasion may be carried to
such a Length as to distress the Service unless some Remedy
be timely applied. I humbly hope that what Governor Din-
widdle writes on this matter will be thought to deserve
some Consideration & that you will be pleased by your Instruc-
tions to remove this Evil for the future & till Governor Din-
widdle or myself be honoured therewith I will do my utmost
Endeavour to remove & prevent all animosities between them
which I dread as certain Obstructions to his Majestys Service.
Permit me once more to declare that it shall be my constant
Study to Conduct myself so as to deserve the Continuance of
the favourable Opinion you have been pleased to conceive of
me & by every Means approve myself

Honble Sir Your mo. devoted &c.

Letters were also writ at the same time to Lord Baltimore
& M^ Calvert.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpc. 107

[Robinson to Sharpe.] Original.

Whitehall Oct' 26"' 1754.
Sir

Having informed you in my Letter of July s'"" That the King
had under His Royal Consideration the State of Affairs in
North America; I am now to acquaint you, That amongst
other Measures, that are thought proper, for the Defence of
His Majesty's just Rights and Dominions, in those Parts, The
King has not only been pleased to order two Regiments of
Foot, consist" of 500 Men each, besides commissioned and
non-Commissioned Officers, commanded by Sir Peter Halkett
& Col: Dunbar, to repair to Virginia, & to be there augmented
to the Number of 700 Each ; but likewise, to send Orders to
Gov"^ Shirley, and Sir W™ Pepperell, to raise Two Regiments,
whereof they are, respectively, appointed Colonels of 1000 Men
each ; and also, to sign Commissions for a Number of Officers
to serve in the said Two Regiments, & who will forthwith
repair to North America, for that purpose.

Whereas there will be wanting a considerable Number of
Men to make up the designed Complements of the said Four
Regiments ; It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you should be
taking the previous Steps towards contributing, as far as you
can, to have about Three Thousand Men, in readiness to be
enlisted ; And it is His Majesty's Intention, That a General
Officer of Rank & Capacity to be appointed to command
in Chief all the Kings Forces in North America, a Deputy
Quarter Master General, and a Commissary of the Musters
shall set out, as soon as conveniently may be, in order to
prepare every Thing for the Arrival of the Forces above-
mentioned from Europe, & for the Raising of the others in
America.

You will receive from that General and the other Officers
just mentioned, a full & exact account of the Arms, Cloathing
& other necessaries to be sent upon this important Occasion,
as likewise of the Ordnance Stores, & of the Officers and
attendants belonging thereto All which being ordered for this
Service, are such Proofs of His Majesty's Regard for the
Security & Welfare of His Subjects in those Parts, as cannot
fail to excite you to exert yourself, and those under your Care,
to take the most vigorous Steps to repell your common
Danger ; & to shew that the King's Orders, which were sent
you last year by the Earl of Holdernesse, & were renewed to
you in my Letter of the 5"" July, have at last rouzed that
Emulation and Spirit, which every man owes, at this Time, to
His Majesty, the Publick & himself: The King will not there-
fore imagine, that either you, or the rest of His Governors,

iio Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. indeed have shewn a Disposition to exert themselves by re-
pelling some Depredations & Invasions that they were threat-
ened with, & really I have such an Opinion of their Power &
Spirit as to think they will sufficiently secure their own
Frontiers, but can we with any face expect them to succour us
whom they esteem little inferiour to themselves while they see
us in a State of almost total Inactivity or Supineness. It will
be vain I imagine for us to sollicite New Hampshire a weak &
young Colony for Assistance; & from the Character of Rhode
Island Government I see no great Prospect of being assisted
from that Quarter: however to these will I address myself as
well as to the Governor of Connecticutt whatever hopes I
entertain of succeeding in my Applications. The Govern' of
New York has sent M' Dinwiddie about ;/^3000 Sterg. which
is as much as we must expect from that Province itself exposed
& open more than any of us to the Incursions & Devastations
of the French & their Indian Allies who may at any time in a
Day or two march into the heart of that Country.

The Jerseys have for their part been so far from concurring
p. 9 with or approving of M"^ Belchiers inviting them 3 or 4 several
times to shew themselves not unmindful of their Country &
unworthy of the British Name that they seem to have had
nothing else in view at their meetings but to shew the greatest
Disregard of & Contempt for the old Gentleman's Recom-
mendations. A Quaker Sect for the most part composes the
Pensilvania Assembly who in 3 successive meetings have abso-
lutely refused tho their All was at Stake to advance a Shilling
unless their Governor would make such Concessions to them
as his Instructions particularly forbad him to think of. The
Assembly of South Carolina have as yet I think shewn no less
Backwardness to engage in the Cause, & the sinking entirely
by gross mismanagement a Sum of ^12.000 Proclamation
money which North Carolina granted last Spring for the
Service, before the Companies raised therewith could possibly
advance to the Scene of Action I am afraid will not incline
them very readily to repeat their Vote, & tho the Virginians
have been prevailed on to give_;^20ooo for their own Defence
beside the ^i 0000 which has been long since expended, & our
Assembly may possibly be induced to make an Addition to
what they lately advanced yet I cannot hope with such parci-
monious Supplies as these to be able to execute the Commis-
sion I am honoured with with any great Eclat; I wish I may
be able to do it with some small Reputation. It is expected I
apprehend from your Letter that the Germans who have
imported themselves into these Provinces will be found as
ready as they are capable of bearing Arms on this Occasion,
but I can assure you that whatever Character they may deserve

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 1 1 1

for Courage or military Skill Idespair of seeing any of them so Letter Bk.
forward as to offer themselves Voluntiers under my Command p- '°
unless the Enemy was to approach so far as actually to deprive
them of their Habitations & Possessions of which alone they
are found tenacious. As to the Six Indian Nations I cannot
persuade myself to have much Confidence in their Fidelity or
rely on them for Aid ; they are & have been long wavering
between the two Crowns & tho they should be inclined as
some imagine to support our Interest yet the fear of our
Enemys Strength & Vigilancy deters them from declaring
openly in our Favour: A large Party or Tribe of these People
who inhabit near S' Lawrences River are avowedly in the
French Interest & will not hesitate to perpetrate whatever the
French require. In the Engagement that happened last July
between the Virginians & the Garrison of Monongahela or
Dequisne Fort a Considerable Body of these Six Nations who
dwell near the Banks of Ohio & Lake Erie appeared with our
Enemy in Arms against us tho many of their Chiefs & People
were at that time receiving our Presents at Albany & making
with the Commissioners from these several Colonies a League
of Peace & Amity, this & some other of their Transactions
incline me to think that they will never join & assist us heartily
against our Enemies till they perceive that we are an over
match for them ourselves; I beleive they have no real regard
excepting perhaps a very few of them either the French or us
but are awed by & stand in fear of our Power & numbers & I
doubt not daily curse their Ancestors for suffering either of us p. n
to so peaceably to possess ourselves of Lands that they call
their ancient Possessions, these that I have above enumerated
together with the want of one Engineer at least & a proper Train
of Artillery are some of the Difficulties that occur to me when
I consider what might be expected from the Commission that
I now bear, & they are such as will not I hope be deemed
trivial ones whatever be the Event of my Endeavours to sur-
mount them. I have however the pleasure to acquaint you
that Governor Dinwiddle has given me the greatest Assur-
ances of his Friendship & firm Resolution to support me as
much as is in his power & as I think no time is to be lost while
the Enemy are making such large Strides to Conquest & have
already made prodigious progress in executing their Grand
Scheme, I will not be a moment Idle but endeavour to mani-
fest, as much as I may be enabled to- do, my Duty to His
Majesty, to approve myself not entirely unworthy of the Com-
mission He has honoured me with & to merit the Continuance
of your Regard & Affection

I I 2 Correspoude7tce of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Baltimore.]

P-95

Annapolis 5"' of Nov' 1754.
MyLd

About a fortnight since I took an Opportunity by a Ship
sailing from Virginia to acknowledge the Receipt of y' Ldp's
Commission & express my gratitude for the vast Obligation
that your Ldp has been pleased to lay me under by your ready
favour & Kindness in permitting my Absence from your Ldps

p. 96 Province & the Administration of your Ldp's Government to
execute the Commission which His Majesty has been pleased
to honour me with. In obedience to your Ldp's Instruction I
immediately on my Return from Virginia assembled your Ldps
Council & acquainted them with your Ldp's Goodness & indul-
gence to me & the Honour that His Majesty had been pleased
to confer on me. With their Advice I have taken the Liberty
to issue Writs for a general Election of Representatives about
3 weeks before the Expiration of the usual Term that a Session
has been lately continued, this I was induced the more readily
to do from the Consideration that if the old Assembly had been
convened there would have been little probability of their doing
any thing generous while they would have been expecting in a
few Days a Dissolution. But before I can meet the Candi-
dates who are now electing I hope some of the neighbouring
Colonies will set them a laudable Example & then I despair
not of finding them inclined to shew a generous Disposition
& by paying a due regard to your Ldps Recommendation
manifest their Duty to His Majesty & their Constituents. In
Obedience to your Ldps pleasure I shall leave the Adminis-
tration of the Government & the Care of your Ldps private
Affairs to M' Tasker in case I should for a short time be
absent from your Ldps Province. I propose to be at Wills
Creek about the End of next week & if there appears a Proba-
bility of effecting any thing with such a Body of Troops as can
be drawn together before the severe season sets in I may make
a winters Campaign, but if when I consult the Officers, it shall
be thought expedient to post-pone an Enterprize against the
Enemy till the neighbouring Governments can be persuaded
to send us some Reinforcements I will return hither again as

p. 97 soon as I have taken measures & disposed the Troops in such
a manner as to prevent the Incursions on our Frontiers this
winter of the French & their Indians of whom Governor Morris
has just advised me that 60 had been seen on their way & 200
more were expected to go to the Ohio Fort from thence in
parties to depopulate & lay wast at all Opportunities the Back
Parts of this & the two neighbouring Governments. But that
this Scheme of theirs at least has been frustrated I hope to be

Papers.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 1 1 3

able to acquaint your Ldp when I shall have another Oppor- Letter Bk.
tunity of assuring your Ldp that I am your Ldp's most obliged
& devoted.

[Sharpe to Calvert.] Original.

Annapolis Novem'' s'*" 1754. transmitted by Cap' Clarkson.

Sir

The 25"" of last month I took the Opportunity of a Ship's
sailing from Virginia to acknowledge the Receipt of His Lord-
ships Commission and your kind Favour of luly. This Day
Sennight I left Williamsburg & arrived here Sunday last.
Yesterday I met the Gentlemen of the Council (having while
I was in Virginia writ to desire their Presence at that time) &
acquainted them with His Lordships Kindness to me in dis-
pensing with my attendance for a time on the Administration
of His Government in case his Majestys Service should require
at any time my presence out of His Lordships Province. With
their advice I have taken the Liberty to issue writs for a new
Election of Representatives, as the Term that they have
usually continued was expiring, & imagining that they would
not so readily be induced to make the Provision that His
Lordship has been pleased to recommend to them w" they
were every Day expecting a Dissolution. Before the new
Assembly can possibly be convened I hope some of the neigh-
bouring Colonies will set them a laudable Example, and then I
despair not of finding them disposed to exert themselves at
last by a generous Resolution, & by paying the greatest Regard
to His Lordships earnest Recommendation manifest their £)uty
to His Majesty & their Constituents. The making some
necessary preparations for my Journey will detain me this
week at Annapolis but the beginning of next I propose to set
out for Wils Creek & if there appears a probability of effecting
any thing with such a Body of Troops as can be drawn
together before the severe Season comes on, I hope by the
next opportunity of Conveyance that will probably offer to give
you a Satisfactory account of my Winters Campaign. But if a
Council of War which I intend to hold as soon as I reach
Wils's Creek shall find it most expedient to postpone any
Attack till the Neighbouring Governments can be persuaded
to send us proper Reinforcements I shall return again as soon
as I have regulated & disposed of the Companies for the
Security of our Frontiers this winter against the Incursions of
the French Indians who were seen Governor Morris advises
me on their March towards the French Fort on Ohio to be
employed this winter as was apprehended against our Back
Inhabitants. As I have reason to think that the several Letters

114 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

which I writ some time since are ee'r this got home safely I
have no particular private Business to write on ; wherefore I
beg leave to conclude with assuring you that I am w'*" the
greatest Respect & Regard, Sir,

your most obliged and Obed' Humble Serv'
Annapolis, 5"" Nov. 1754 Hor° Sharpe

Bk.ir. [Sharpe to Lord Bury.]

Nov 5"^ 1754
MyLd

Your Favour of January I had lately the pleasure to receive
by M' Christie & in Answer thereto must desire your Ldp to
be assured that that & every Letter of the same Sort shall
command any Services from me to any Gentleman here who
might be fortunate enough to get themselves recommended
to your Ldps notice. Your Ldp will I hope excuse me for
adding to these few Lines (which I cannot but think too con-
cise a Letter to your Ldp) a brief narration of some Occurrances
that have happened here since my Arrival on the Continent &
are looked upon at home I find as well as with us as matters
of no trivial Importance. About this time twelve months the
several Governors on this Continent received Letters from
England whereby they were advised of the march of a con-
siderable Body of Europeans & Indians towards the English
Settlements in Pensilvania & Virginia & were also forbid to
connive at or suffer any such apprehended Intrusion or Incur-
sion of Foreigners into His Majesty's Territories & Dominions
but ordered to repel them by every means in their Power,
these Letters were I apprehend transmitted hither in Conse-
quence of some Representations that had been made home in
the preceeding Spring, however on the Receipt of them Gov-
ernor Denwiddie sent a messenger with a Letter to the Com-

p. 13 mander of a Party of French (who had lately marched down
from Canada & were building a Fort on the River Ohio west-
ward of the Province of Pensilvania & about 150 Miles from
the inhabited part of Virginia) requiring him to retire & relin-
quish His Majesty the King of Great Britains Lands on which
they were then presuming to erect a Fort, instead of complying
with Governor Denwiddies Requisition the French Com-
mandant replied that it was more the part of His Commander
the Governor of Canada than his to dispute with the Governor
of Virginia about the Property of the Land He was then
possessed of that for His part he was only concerned with his
Commanding Officers orders which he was determined punc-
tually to obey & repel by force whatever power should attempt
to dislodge or interrupt him in the Execution of his Duty. On

Correspondence of Governor S/iarpe. 115

the Messengers Return with this answer Governor DenwIddieLetterBk.il.
thought proper to order a party of 30 Men to advance to the
Ohio some miles below the French Fort & prepare Materials
for erecting a Fortress also upon that River hoping the general
Assembly of Virginia (whom he immediately convened) & the
neighbouring Colonies would enable him not only to compleat
& garrison that Fort but also to recover all the Lands that the
French had taken possession of on that fine River. With the
Supplies granted by the Assembly He proceeded to raise 300
Men in that Province having been also informed from home
that 2 from New York & one of the Independant Companies
from South Carolina were ordered round to Virginia to attend
His Orders & Directions. The Company from Carolina
arrived in Virginia the Latter End of April & those from New p- H
York within 3 or 4 weeks after, but whatever hopes He had
entertained of receiving Assistance from the other Colonies
proved entirely vain & illusive it being not possible as yet to
persuade any of them that they were at all interested in the
Affair or could be in the least affected by the Event & Issue of
the Dispute. With the Force however above numbred &
about 300 Men that were to be sent out from N Carolina to
join them Gov' Denwiddie hoped to be able at least to act
defensively & to proceed to erect a Fort or two on Ohio till
He should receive farther Instructions from home for his
Conduct, while He was about to order this Scheme into Execu-
tion Intelligence was brought him that a Body of about 200
French Regulars had on the if^ of April come down on the
small Party who had been ordered out to prepare Materials
for a Fort & had obliged them to relinquish what materials
they had collected for that purpose & to return again to Vir-
ginia. This Information was too soon confirmed to us & the
Enemy immediately begun & have now compleated a Fort
considerably strong & large near the Spot on which our People
had begun to build & have mounted therein several swivels &
some Carriage Guns. At the time that Ensign Ward & His
Detachment made the Surrendry above mentioned the Rest of
the Virginia Corps & the South Carolina Company under the
Command of one M' Washington were advancing to support
them & fortify themselves on the River but on being acquainted
with the cause of this their unexpected Return as soon as the p- 'S
Party met him He declined proceeding till He should be rein-
forced by the other Troops who were now in motion toward
him & in the mean time employed himself in opening a Road
from the Frontiers of this Province toward the Enemy's Fort,
while He was in this situation about Midway between the
English Settlements & the Enemy a Party of His Men fell in
with Monsieur Jumonville a Lieutenant & about 30 Men

ii6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. from the Fort (who were sent as twas supposed to intercept
a Convoy of Provisions designed for our men) & having killed
Jumonville & 7 or 8 of his Detachment they took the rest
Prisoners & sent them under a Guard to the Governor of Vir-
ginia where they yet remain. No sooner did the news of this
Skirmish reach the Ohio but the Enemy drew together from
the several Fortresses which they have built up & down that
River near 1000 Men in order to fall on our Troops & return
the Compliment. M' Washington being apprized of this a few
Days before the Enemy approached him with the Advice of the
other Ofificers retired a few Miles to a place called the Meadows,
it being Low Land between two Eminences or small Hills
where He encamped & as well as the time would permit
endeavoured to secure himself by drawing around him a small
Ditch & building within it a Sort of Log House, here on the
3"^ of July about noon the French attacked him & having killed
him about 30 Men obliged him toward the Evening to capitu-

p- 16 late & accept terms which indeed were very far from being
pretty honourable, that He did not stand longer on the
Defensive He attributes to the great improbability there was of
holding out against such a Superiority of Numbers when he
had not any Expectations of seeing the other Troops come to
his Assistance & being also in want of both Ammunition &
Provisions, but that He was prevailed on to sign a dishonorable
Capitulation is owing he declares & concurrent Circumstances
support his Assertion not to these Difficulties but to the
Infidelity of one of his Captains now a Hostage with the
Enemy on whom he depended to interpret to him the Terms
& Conditions proposed to him by the Enemy which were
written in French a Language that M' Washington had the
misfortune to be entirely unacquainted with thus at once were
frustrated all the hopes that had been conceived from the Vir-
ginia Armament & tho the news of this Defeat has somewhat
allarmed the people in this part of the Continent yet they could
not be persuaded to advance anything considerable for carrying
on another Expedition against these Invaders who I am afraid
will gradually make themselves Masters of our Possessions as
they have already of all the Indian Trade unless some measures
be taken at home to oblige us to defend them ourselves
or Remittances be made hither to encourage the Service. At
present the Independant Companies a Company of 100 men
which this Province has raised & the Rem.ains of the Virginians

p- 17 whom Death & Desertions have reduced to about 200 are
encamped on the Frontiers of the setled part of Virginia &
this Province at a Place called Wills Creek where I beleive
they are to proceed to build a Fort or sort of Magazine & there
remain till some Instructions from home shall open to them a
prospect of entering upon Action with greater probability of

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 1 1 7

Success, this I flatter myself with the hopes of seeing soon as I Letter Bk. 11.
malce no Doubt but a proper Representation of the present
Posture of Affairs on this Continent has been made home &
that our Situation & Condition will be taken into Consideration,
this our past & present Parsimony & Supineness absolutely
requires which has prevented our being at this time in posses-
sion of a fine Country that the French are making themselves
Masters of & whence they will not be dislodged but at a great
Expence. thus far I had writ some weeks since designing to
address it to your Ldp by the first opportunity of Conveyance
that should offer but none having till now occurred I have had
it transcribed & thereto added a few Lines to inform your Ldp
that I have received a Commission which his Majesty has been
pleased to honour me with whereby I am ordered to take the
Command of all the Forces that shall be employed in this part
of the Continent against His Majestys & this Country's
Enemies, in pursuance of this I am making some necessary
preparations for taking the Field or rather the woods this
winter in hopes of being able if the neighbouring Govern-
ments will make a proper addition to the Troops above num-
bered to carry the Fort which the Enemy as I have before p. iS
noticed have built on the Ohio at the Forks of Monongahela or
one that they have built farther up the River nearer Lake Erie.
The Possession of either of these would enable us to cut off if
we are properly supported the Communication that they are
sollicitous to establish by a Chain of Forts from Montreal to
New Orleans near the mouth of the River Missisippi, «& would
also prevent the total Loss of a Trade that these Colonies have
hitherto enjoyed with the Indian Natives of which we are
already almost utterly deprived. A small Number of Men
from home would I persuade myself have rendered me equal
to this Task but as I cannot expect to see Troops transported
hither to be under my Direction I will endeavour to do the best
I can with those I have the honour to command & will hope
that I may be able to give you such an Account of my Conduct
as I flatter myself your good wishes for me makes you desirous
of seeing, in the mean time I would beg the favour of you to
signify to me whether it would become me at any time to take
the Liberty to submit my Transactions & Behaviour in the
Execution of my Commission to His Royal Highness or satisfy
myself with laying them only before the Ministry & yourself
whom I will beg leave to trouble as often as I have any thing
of importance to write on. Your Ldp will have the goodness
to excuse my sending this in a different Character from what
I designed & attribute it to my being entirely engrossed by
some Business that demands to be dispatched before I can
leave this place & ¥"■ Ldp will I hope beleive me to be with the
greatest respect & regard Y' Ldps &c.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
as Robinson.]
Nov' 5 [1754] Annapolis

Letter Bk. II. [Sliarpc to Sir Thomas Robinson.]

p. 19

Right Honourable

I took the Liberty the 25"' of last Month from Virginia to
make my most grateful Acknowledgments for the Receipt of
his Majestys most gracious Commission together with a Letter
which yourself had been pleased to honour me with by Gov-
ernor Dobbs who had but a few Days before arrived, lest any
Accident should occasion the Loss of the Letter that I then
begged leave to address to you I seize this Opportunity of
repeating the Contents of it & of intreating you if you think
proper to assure his Majesty that I am extremely sensible of
the honour that he has been pleased to confer on me that it
shall be the Business of my Life to manifest my Duty to his
Majesty & my constant Study & endeavours to pay the most
exact & punctual Obedience to his Royal Pleasure which you
have now been pleased to acquaint me with & to whatever
future Commands & Instructions I may have the honour &
Satisfaction to receive. On Governor Denwiddie's intimating
to me his Receival of His Majestys Orders to himself & me I
immediately set out for that place to take his Advice how I may
best execute the Commission I found myself honoured with &
to consult with him what measures it would be most expedient
to take for the Defence of his Majesty's Dominions on the
Continent at this time & with the small Force that we shall be
able to collect this winter or early in the ensuing Spring. In
pursuance of his & Governor Dobbs's Advice & Approbation
I propose to raise Seven Hundred Men with all possible
Expedition who will I hope (if a very severe Season does not
20 soon set in) be able in Conjunction with the three Independant
Companies to carry the Fort that the French have built upon
the River Monongahela before a Reinforcement can be sent the
Garrison from Canada or the French Setdements in that part
of the Condnent which they call Louisiana. This & erecting
a Fortress (which we conceive absolutely necessary for its
Defence on an Island in the River Ohio opposite to the said
French Fort is as much as I can hope to execute with so small
a number of Men as will I apprehend compleat the Corps that
will be under my Direction, most of whom will be required in
Case our Enterprize should succeed to garrison the two Forts
abovementioned & one that is begun at a Place called Wills-
Creek on Potomack River by way of a general Magazine for
the Troops that may be employed in the Service. I have just
received Advice from Governor Morris that about 60 French
Indians were seen very lately on their way toward the Fort on
Ohio & that 200 more were about to follow them to be

C orrespondence of Governor Sharp e. 1 19

employed against our back Settlements this Winter if we do Letter Bk. 11
not deprive them of that Asylum where they propose to resort
& ravage the Country at Intervals with impunity. — As soon as
I can make some necessary Preparations for my Journey which
shall not retard me more than a week I intend to set out for
Wills-Creek, in the Interim I will write to all the neighbouring
Colonies & sollicite their Assistance & if they should fortunately
be disposed to encrease considerably our American Forces in
the Spring I will with the greatest Alacrity & Diligence prose-
cute His Majesty's Service & endeavour to gain that Fort also p. 21
which the Enemy have built on Buffaloe River. But notwith-
standing I should be succesful even in that Attempt, yet I
cannot think that His Majestys Dominions on the Continent
will be thereby effectually secured, or a free & open Trade
with the Indian Natives ensured to us while the French are
masters of so many Forts on the Lakes & have fortified so
many Places in the inland Country behind us; but as nothing
less than a considerable Body of European Troops can be
expected to oblige them to relinquish these I shall confine my
views & attend only the Business which I have at present in
hand hoping that by the time I shall have another Opportunity
of addressing myself home I shall be able to send a satisfactory
Account of my Proceedings & Conduct. In my other Letter I
took the Liberty to mention the Disputes that have arisen &
still subsist between the Independant Companies & the Troops
which the Colonies have raised on this Occasion, & I presumed
to hope that what Gov' Dinwiddle had written relating thereto
might be thought to deserve some notice & that you would be
pleased by your Instructions to remove that Evil for the future,
in the mean time it shall be my constant Care & Study to
prevent any animosities among them & at all times to shew
that I have a due Sense of the favours you have been pleased
to confer on

Honble Sir

Your most devoted &c

[Sharpe to the Earl of Halifax.]

Nov. s'" [1754]
My Lord

I do myself the honour to acknowledge to your Ldp my
Receipt of His Majestys most gracious Commission appointing
me Commander in Chief of the Forces that may be employed
against His Majestys Enemies in this Part of His Dominions.
As Governor Denwiddie has writ to acquaint your Ldp with
the present Posture of Affairs in this part of the Continent I

1 20 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. II. would not presume to trouble your Ldp at this time with any
thing on that head from myself but shall only take the Liberty
of assuring your Ldp that it shall be my constant Study
to deserve your Ldps Favour by endeavouring to shew that I
am your Ldps most obedient & devoted Servant.

[Sharpe to Lord Anson.]

Nov 5'" [1754]
MyLd

As a Friend of mine has intimated to me that I am entirely
indebted to your Ldp for the honour that His Majesty has been
pleased to confer on me in appointing me Commander of the
Forces that may be employed against his Majesty's Enemies in
this part of his Dominions I beg leave to make my most
grateful Acknowledgments for your Lordships kindness & the
Services that your Ldp has been pleased to do me, & to assure
p. 23 your Ldp that it shall be my constant Study by my Conduct to
express my gratitude to your Ldp & to merit the Continuance
of the favourable Opinion that your Ldp has been pleased to
entertain of your Ldps most obliged & devoted Servant.

[Sharpe to Hanbury.]

[Nov. 1754.]
Sir

My unwillingness to detain the Captain a moment longer
than while I was writing the small Pacquet which I took the
Liberty to recommend to your Care the other Day from Vir-
ginia added to the Business which at that time engrossed my
Attendon will I hope make my Excuse to you for delaying dll
now to acknowledge & thank you for the kind Services which
1 am sensible you have taken an Opportunity lately of doing
me you are I flatter myself inclined to think that it will be my
Study to approve myself not entirely unworthy of the honour
that His Majesty has been pleased to confer on me ; as it will
I assure you at all rimes to deserve a Share of Your Esteem &
Regard. —

A Letter was also writ to the same purport to M' Adair &
another to Capt. Tomlinson —

p. 24 [Sharpe to Governor Morris.]

Nov"' S'*" 1754.
Sir

I have received the favour of your Letter acquainting me
with your safe Arrival in your Government upon w'^'' I very
heartily congratulate you & most sincerely wish you much

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 121

Ease & Satisfaction in your Administration. Your early Letter Bk. 11.
Declaration that you will always make it your Business to pro-
mote His Majestys Service & the Interest of these Colonies &
that you will freely communicate to me the measures that you
shall esteem likely to contribute to that End is highly agreeable
to me as it gives me an opportunity of assuring you that I will
make it my Study to deserve your Confidence & that your
Advice in any thing that might concern the publick Service
will with me always have the greatest weight & Influence.
You are I presume no Stranger to his Majesty's having been
pleased to honour me with a Commission to take the Com-
mand of the Forces that may be raised for the Defence of these
Colonies against the Encroachments & Invasions of His
Majesty's Enemies, & from your generous Professions I flatter
myself with hopes that nothing will be wanting on your part
to enable me to execute His Majesty's Commission with some
Reputation & to repel the Dangers that at this time threaten
us. It would be I am persuaded impertinent in me to insist
on or even hint at the fatal Consequences that would attend
our conniving at the Encroachments that the French have lately p. 25
made on His Majesty's Dominions in this part of the Continent
or suffering them to remain Masters of the Forts which they
have built on the Frontiers of that Province, of this you are
extremely sensible & I will not doubt but your Assembly when
they meet again will shew a just regard to your Recommenda-
tion of the Service to their Consideration & will manifest their
Patriotism by granting such Supplies as the Exigency of Affairs
& the Danger that threatens their Country does at this time
demand, indeed without large Assistance from them & the
neighbouring Colonies I despair of answering in the least His
Majesty's Expectations & royal Intention in honouring me with
such a Commission & I shall be under the disagreeable neces-
sity of excusing my Failure or Inaction & attribute them to the
want of such succours as His Majesty by his Secretary gives
me room to expect from his good & loyal American Subjects.
Should my hopes of your Assembly's Disposition prove well
founded you will be kind enough to advise me by Express
thereof & acquaint me in what manner you judge they will be
most inclined to afford us their Assistance that I might regulate
my Conduct or lay my Plan of Operations accordingly.

1^ I returned last Sunday from Williamsburg where I left
the Virginia Assembly sitting, they had granted the Sum of
/20000 for the Service & were proceeding to prepare a Bill
for levying a number of Forces at once in that province by
obliging each Cty to furnish a certain quota.

3'' I should be much obliged to you for endeavouring to get p. 26
me Intelligence of the number of the Enemy at Venango &

122 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

II. their Fort on Buffaloe River of the Situation & strength of
which I have in vain endeavoured to get a particular Descrip-
tion. I should be also glad to learn whether there is any Road
yet opened from the Back-Settlements in Pensilvania to either
of these Places & whether it would be impracticable to convey
Provisions thither from your Province either in Summer or in
the winter Season. I am &c.

[Sharpe to Governor Belcher.]

Nov. S"- [1754]
S'

I take the Liberty to acquaint you that His Majesty hoping
His good & loyal American Subjects will exert themselves
unanimously to repel the Encroachments that the French are
& have been making on his Dominions in this part of the
Continent has been pleased to honour me with a Commission
to command all the Forces that the several Colonies may raise
for that purpose, & to intreat you to endeavour to procure us
such Supplies either of Men or money from the Assembly of
your Province as the Exigency of Affairs do at this time
demand. It would be I am persuaded impertinent in me to
insist on or even hint at the fatal Consequences that must
attend our conniving at the Encroachments that the French
have lately made on His Majestys Territories, or suffering
them to remain Masters of the Forts which they have built on
the Frontiers of these Provinces, of this you are extremely
-1 sensible & I will not doubt but your Assembly when they meet
again will shew a just Regard to your Recommendation of the
Service to their Consideration, indeed without large Assistance
from them & the neighbouring Colonies I despair of answering in
the least His Majesty's Expectations & Royal Intention in
honouring me with such a Commission & shall be under the
disagreeable necessity of excusing my failure or Inaction to
the want of such Succours as his Majesty by one of his principal
Secretaries of State gives me room to expect from His good
Subjects in that as well as these Provinces. Should the
Gentlemen of your Assembly when they take the Affair under
their Consideration shew a Disposition to support their fellow
Subjects & provide for the Safety of His Majesty's Dominions
in this part of the Continent & their own Country, you will be
kind enough to send me immediate Advice thereof & acquaint
me in what manner you judge they will be most inclined to
afford us their Assistance whether by money or Troops that I
might regulate my Conduct accordingly. You will be pleased
to signify to me as soon as possible what is to be expected
because the vast progress that the Enemy made last Summer

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 1 2 3

makes it absolutely necessary that we act offensively very early Letter Bk.
in the Spring. I am just returned from Williamsburg where
the Virginia Assembly were sitting, they had granted the Sum
of /aoooo for the Encouragement of the Service & I hope the
Assembly of this Province will make an Addition to what they
lately advanced as soon as I can meet them after a new Elec-
tion. I am &c —

[Sharpe to Governor De Lancey.]

Nov. 8'" [1754]
S^

I take the Liberty to acquaint you that His Majesty expecting
his good & loyal American Subjects will unanimously exert
themselves to repel the Encroachments that the French are
making on these his Dominions has been pleased to order me
to take the Command of the Forces that may be raised for that
purpose. As I despair of answering in the least His Majesty's
Expectations & Royal Intention in honouring me with such a
Commission unless the several Governments will incline to send
us such Succours as His Majesty by one of His principal Sec-
retaries of State bids me expect I have addressed myself to
them severally solliciting their aid & am not without hopes that
the Gendemen of your Assembly will be disposed to make an
Addition to the sum they were pleased to grant some time
since for this Service. I am not insensible how much the
Frontiers of that Province are exposed to the Incursions &
Depredations of the French & their Allied Indians & imagine
that a considerable Expence will be incurred by making your
Frontiers more secure & your Forts more defensible which I
perceive you have already recommended to your Assembly, yet
as the Enemy seem to be at present most intent on fixing &
establishing themselves on the Back of these Provinces to
secure to themselves a free Communication from Canada to
New Orleans & at the same time effectually cut us off from all
Intercourse & Trade with the Indian Nations I cannot but
think our united Force should be directed to disconcert that
grand Scheme, their Execurion & Compledon of which must be
attended with respect to us with the most fatal Consequences,
however as the Gendemen of your Assembly may think that
their own Country has demands enough on them I will not
press you so earnestly to sollicite them on our Behalf as I have
the other Governments, but will rest assured that what they
can they will chearfully contribute to encourage the Expedition
that I am entrusted with the Direction of, & if at anytime while
I am honoured with this Command I can thereby promote the
Security of his Majestys Subjects in that part of his Dominions

124 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. you Will be plcascd to think that I will do it with the greatest
readiness & Satisfaction. I wish you would be kind enough
to send us a few Grenadoes from one of your Magazines by any
Vessel bound either to this Pi'ovince Virginia or Pensilvania &
if you should receive any Intelligence from Oswego or any
other Quarter of the Enemy's motions toward this part of the
Continent I flatter myself you will not delay to advise me
thereof which will much oblige Your Honour's &c

Letters were also writ to the Governors of Rhode Island &
Connecticut Govern" to the same purport as that to Gov'
Belcher.

To Governor Shirley Nov 8"' [1754]

Sir

I take the Liberty to acquaint you that His Majesty expecting
his good & loyal American Subjects will unanimously exert
themselves to repel the Encroachments that the French are
making on these his Dominions has been pleased to order me
to take the Command of the Forces that may be raised for that
purpose, but as I despair of answering in the least His Maj-
esty's Expectations & Royal Intention in honouring me with
such a Commission unless the several Governments on the
Continent will incline to send us such succours as His Majesty
by one of his Principal Secretaries of State gives me reason to
hope for ; I have addressed myself to them severally solliciting
their aid & I entertain sanguine hopes that the Genriemen
of your Assembly will not be backward to favour my Applica-
tion I am not insensible that the Incursions of the Enemy on
your own Frontiers have occasioned a considerable Expence to
the Province yet as the French seem particularly sollicitous &
intent at this time on executing their long projected Scheme of
establishing a Communication from Cape Breton thro the
Continent to the Gulf of Mexico, in which they have this last
Summer made prodigious Progress by the Settlements they
have made & the Forts they have built & strongly garrisoned
on the Back of these Provinces I cannot but think our united
Force should be directed to disconcert their Scheme, the
Execution of which threatens us with the most fatal Conse-
quences, of the Expediency of this which we are of ourselves
insufficient to perform & the unhappy Condition of these
Colonies at present I am persuaded you are extremely sensible.
I will therefore hope that you will recommend this Affair to
your Assembly in such a manner as to incline them to send us
such Supplies of New England Troops or Money as our present
Situation does really call for & require

I am &c

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. i 25

[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.] Original.

Williamsburg Nov"' la'*" 1754
Sir

I send by this Sloop to the Care of Maj' Carlyle all the
Things I cou'd purchase here that you thought necessary for
the Expedition & enclos'd you have a particular Ace' of them,
I have a pretty many recruiting officers in many of our
Counties, their Success I cannot as yet acquaint you ; but
shall be glad to knov^r y' Determination as to your March. I
much dread we shall not be able imediately to raise the
Number of Forces I think necessary for you to march with ; but
hope during the Winter Months to enlist many, every Thing in
my Power shall be done.

Pray write me the Numbers at Wills's Creek. I refer Col°
Innes to you if he inclines to continue on the Expedition, he is
an indefatigable honest Man.

I am with great Respect
S^
Your most hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddie

[Gov. Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir

Your Favour of the eighth Instant I had the Honour to
receive by your Messenger, and congratulate you upon the
Command his Majesty has been pleased to give you, in the
execution of which I wish you all imaginable Success, and
shall think myself happy if I can in any thing contribute to it.

Early in this Month I received a Letter from the Secretary
of State, signifying to me his Majesties Commands that I
should act vigorously in Defence of the Government under my
Care, and be aiding and assisting to the other Colonies to repel
any hostile Attempts made against them, and I shall endeavour
to act up to the Royal Commands as fully as the Assembly of
this Province will enable me to do, and it will give me great
Satisfaction if they resolve to act with Spirit at this important
Juncture when the Interest and Safety of this particular Prov-
ince is so nearly concerned.

The Assembly of this Province is appointed to meet on the
second of December, and I believe will sit for some time, and
should you receive any Intelligence or take any Steps that may
influence their Resolutions in favour of vigorous Measures, I
shall be obliged to you for sending such by Express which this
Government will be at the Expence of,

Tho the People of this Province have for Thirty years past
carried on a Trade to the River Ohio and were seated at the

1 24 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. you Will be pleased to think that I will do it with the greatest
readiness & Satisfaction. I wish you would be kind enough
to send us a few Grenadoes from one of your Magazines by any
Vessel bound either to this Province Virginia or Pensilvania &
if you should receive any Intelligence from Oswego or any
other Quarter of the Enemy's motions toward this part of the
Continent I flatter myself you will not delay to advise me
thereof which will much oblige Your Honour's &c

Letters were also writ to the Governors of Rhode Island &
Connecticut Govern" to the same purport as that to Gov'
Belcher.

To Governor Shirley Nov 8"' [1754]
Sir

I take the Liberty to acquaint you that His Majesty expecting
his good & loyal American Subjects will unanimously exert
themselves to repel the Encroachments that the French are
making on these his Dominions has been pleased to order me
to take the Command of the Forces that may be raised for that
purpose, but as I despair of answering in the least His Maj-
esty's Expectations & Royal Intention in honouring me with
such a Commission unless the several Governments on the
Continent will incline to send us such succours as His Majesty
by one of his Principal Secretaries of State gives me reason to
hope for ; I have addressed myself to them severally solliciting
their aid & I entertain sanguine hopes that the Gentlemen
of your Assembly will not be backward to favour my Applica-
tion I am not insensible that the Incursions of the Enemy on
your own Frontiers have occasioned a considerable Expence to
the Province yet as the French seem particularly soUicitous &
intent at this time on executing their long projected Scheme of
establishing a Communication from Cape Breton thro the
Continent to the Gulf of Mexico, in which they have this last
Summer made prodigious Progress by the Settlements they
have made & the Forts they have built & strongly garrisoned
on the Back of these Provinces I cannot but think our united
Force should be directed to disconcert their Scheme, the
Execution of which threatens us with the most fatal Conse-
quences, of the Expediency of this which we are of ourselves
insufficient to perform & the unhappy Condition of these
Colonies at present I am persuaded you are extremely sensible.
I will therefore hope that you will recommend this Affair to
your Assembly in such a manner as to incline them to send us
such Supplies of New England Troops or Money as our present
Situation does really call for & require

I am &c

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. i 25

[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.] Original.

Williamsburg Nov"' 12"' 1754
Sir

I send by this Sloop to the Care of Maj' Carlyle all the
Things I cou'd purchase here that you thought necessary for
the Expedition & enclos'd you have a particular Ace' of them.
I have a pretty many recruiting officers in many of our
Counties, their Success I cannot as yet acquaint you ; but
shall be glad to know y' Determination as to your March. I
much dread we shall not be able imediately to raise the
Number of Forces I think necessary for you to march with ; but
hope during the Winter Months to enlist many, every Thing in
my Power shall be done.

Pray write me the Numbers at Wills's Creek. I refer Col°
Innes to you if he inclines to continue on the Expedition, he is
an indefatigable honest Man.

I am with great Respect
S^
Your most hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddie

[Gov. Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir

Your Favour of the eighth Instant I had the Honour to
receive by your Messenger, and congratulate you upon the
Command his Majesty has been pleased to give you, in the
execution of which I wish you all imaginable Success, and
shall think myself happy if I can in any thing contribute to it.

Early in this Month I received a Letter from the Secretary
of State, signifying to me his Majesties Commands that I
should act vigorously in Defence of the Government under my
Care, and be aiding and assisting to the other Colonies to repel
any hostile Attempts made against them, and I shall endeavour
to act up to the Royal Commands as fully as the Assembly of
this Province will enable me to do, and it will give me great
Satisfaction if they resolve to act with Spirit at this important
Juncture when the Interest and Safety of this particular Prov-
ince is so nearly concerned.

The Assembly of this Province is appointed to meet on the
second of December, and I believe will sit for some time, and
should you receive any Intelligence or take any Steps that may
influence their Resolutions in favour of vigorous Measures, I
shall be obliged to you for sending such by Express which this
Government will be at the Expence of,

Tho the People of this Province have for Thirty years past
carried on a Trade to the River Ohio and were seated at the

1 26 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

very Place where the French have built their last Fort, yet I
cannot learn that we have any thing more than a Horse Way
thither through the Woods and over the Mountains, by which
I am told it will be very difficult if not impracticable to trans-
port any considerable Quantity of Provisions; but there is a
very good Waggon Road from this City to Watkins's Ferry
on Patowmack by which any Goods may be carried very com-
modiously to that Place.

I will make it my Business to enquire and inform you of the
strength and situation of the French at Weningo and Buffaloe
River, as far as the Indians at Aucquick or in that Neighbour-
hood, who are constanriy passing to and from those Places on
the Ohio, can furnish me with such Intelligence, tho I imagine
you will have an opportunity of seeing and examining the
Principal of them at Will's Creek, where I am informed by M"
Croghan he intended to accompany them to wait on you.

I shall upon all occasions do my utmost to promote his
Majesties Service, and am with perfect Esteem and Regard
Sir

Your Most Obed' Humble Serv'
Rob' H. Morris.
Philadelphia

i4Nov^ 1754.

"■■''ginai- [Belcher to Sharpe.]

Sir

The 17: Instant came to my Hands, your Excellency' Favour
of the 8: Curr' & which I have read once & again with Atten-
tion.

And first of all, congratulate your Excellency, in the Honour,
His Majesty has done you, of His Royal Commission, to com-
mand all the Forces, that may be rais'd in the several Colonies,
to repell the Incroachments of the perfidious French, that they
have made & are still making, upon His Majestys Dominions,
in these Parts, of the British Continent; & to prevent, their
further Depredations, Barbarities, & Murders, of His Majesty's
good Subjects.

And after saying this, I am to inform Your Excellency, that
for near twelve Months past, I have been urging two several
Assemblies of this Province in the most pungent Manner, to
fall into their Duty, by giving their Aid, & Assistance, in
Defence of His Majesty's Honour, & Interest, & for promoting
the Peace & Safety of these Provinces; & some Months ago,
I dissolv'd one Assembly for turning a deaf Ear, to all I cou'd
say to them, on the Preg.ent Emergency of Affairs — & I imme-
diately call'd another, which I met the last Month, & found
them, in better Temper, in these Matters, than the last was; —

Coi-rcspondence of Governor Sharpe. i 27

& yet, the most I cou'd bring them to, was to project a Bill,
which they have sent Home, for His Majesty^ Approbation, Si
for His Leave, to His Governour, to enact it. — & in this Bill,
have given His Majesty, as an Aid, in the present Emergency,
the Sum of about Six thousand Pounds St' & nothing further
is, like to be done, by the Assembly of this Province, till they
have an Answer to their Petition, to the King, on this Head,&
which cannot be expected, till some Time, the next Spring —

As anything material may occur, in this Affair, I shall care-
fully, hand it to you. I am with much Respect, —

S'-

Your Excellency's
most obedient &
most humble Servant
Eliza: Town (N I) J Belcher

Nov'' 20: 1754

Gov" Sharpe —

[Baltimore to Sharpe.] Original.

London December s"* 1754.
Sir

I desire you will settle an hundred pounds a year to be payd
out of the Land office to m' lohn Wogan of the Middle Temple,
he is a Gentleman for whom I have a very great regard ; 'tis a
great happiness to men of Power here in England that they
can always oblige their personal acquaintances, whereas the
great distance of Maryland from this part of the world confines
the gift of places to very few persons.

M' Calvert has answered in his letters to you the particulars
of yours to me, you cannot doubt that I wish you happiness
& success in all undertakings, particularly against the French
& I flatter myself that you will always look upon me as your
most

Sincere Freind &c.
F. Baltimore

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir/

As the Assembly of this Province met upon business this
day, I have only time by the bearer to send you coppy of a
letter 1 received two days ago from M' George Croghan, the
person entrusted with the Care of the Indians that have left
Ohio and now live at a place calld Aukwick, and as the latter
contains some very usefull intelligence I should have forwarded
it by Express, if this conveyance by M' Rutherfords servant

128 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

had not offerd itself; which affords me also an opportunity
of telling you that I have in a long speech pressd our assembly
to exert themselves upon the present occasion, and enable me
to carry his majestys commands into full execution ; and I am
not quite without hopes that they will do something, but what
that will be, I am as yet unable to say.

I think it of consequence to our affairs among the Indians,
that this province should maintain such of them as are at
Aukwick, and that the Chiefs now going from thence to Onen-
dago should know that we have resolved to do so, I have
therefore detaind the express till I knew the sentiments of the
House of Assembly, without whom nothing can be done
where money is wanting, and I beleive they will readily come
into what I have recomended to 'em upon this head.

You will give me leave to mention to you Captain Ruther-
ford who is a gentleman of good sence very well acquainted
with the nature of the Indian Affairs, having been long con-
versant with them as one of the Council for New York, and
few men know the Politicks of this part of the Continent better
than he, I am sure you will find him a skillfull active officer
and a very usefull man upon the present occasion. —

I have some hints from England that a Plan of union of the
Colonys for military purposes (not that sent from hence) is
under the Consideration of the ministry, and tis thought will
be enforced by Act of Parliament this sessions, and if so, some-
thing to the purpose may be done next summer, but hardly if
we are to depend upon supplys to be granted by American
Assemblys.

I have the Honour to be Sir
Your Most obed'

Humble serv'
Rob' H. Morris
Philad^ Decem' 3^ 1754.

Calvert
Papers.

[Calvert to Sharpe.]

London Dec' lo'*" 1754
Sir

The Laws pass'd by you the 2^ of Oct' & y' Lef the 4"" of
May arriving at Long vacation time, the time the Lawyers are
in the Country has been the occasion of My not answ^ you
sooner. His Lord?' Inst"^ Inclosed Contain his consideration
of the Laws & of ordinary & of Hawkers & Pedlars Licences
&c. You remark on advissing with his Lordf" Agent & with
the ludge of the Land Office ab' parcells of Land to be Sur-
veyed & Erect'd into Manors you say, " you are inform'd there

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. i 29

is no Tract of Land unless in the Lower part of the Eastern caivert
Shore & the Barrens Extensive enough to answer that purpose, Pepsi's-
Except in Frederick County near the Frontiers " this depends
on the return of the County Surveyors. As to Surplus
Land, you mention found Contiguous to the Manors such Land
will enlarge them, & of Land Scituated & mixed with other
Patented Land Tracts, such irregular parcells of Land are of
no Purchase but to those whose possessions they Join : such
small Quantities of Land mixed with Property sold, the best
discovery is by survey of the County, w*" will Plan to each
party their Property, therefore My Lord desires the Execution
of His Inst" (i e) the Surveys of the Counties.

M' Evan's Extract from the Records of New York of
the History of Delaware Bay, you have transmitt'd, is but a
Pick'd Detail, Fragm" of Transactions of no use. What you
ordered the Receiver Gen' to Advance him, will be right to
be repaid to My Lords Acco' from the income of the Naval
Office of Pocomack, during the Vacancy. My Lord in no
respect disaproves of your conduct in Regard to M' Evans he
is sensible you meant well & acted therein to obtain good
Intelligence, & tho' Evans is deficient of Service it falls not on
you, who could have no motive but of rendering Service.

The Circumstance you relate of Kittsmillers murder of M'
Diggs falling North of the Temporary Line within the luridic-
tion of Pensilvania according to the Kings order of Council for
runing that Division Line proves as I observed My Lord is
Satisfyed with your Notice of his Inst" Concern^ tis with the
Pensilvanians to answ"^ the Acquittance of Kitsmiller.

The Debt Books of the West Shore are rec''. M' Lloyd has
his LordP^ Inst"^ Ab' the return w"" he is to communicate to you.
My Lord has Satisfaction in the Reduction from 20 to 15 p' C
Receipt by the Farmers of his Quit Rents, & depends on the
Reduction to 10 p' Cent on Experation of two years the
present contract with the Farmers & Sheriffs, Your stated
income of the Provincial Benefices is acceptable, but y' Inclos'd
Copy of Bond from the Clergy his Lord^ disaproves, as it may
occasion Controversy with them & the Bishop of London, he
has under Consideration a Plan for Regulating them by
Authority of his Charter, with Advice of the Bishop. Approves
of y"' proposition for the Clergy to Benefices more considerable
by remove from merrit, on such occasions with his Approbation.
He consents to M' Tasker & M' Dulany being joint in the
Office of Comiss'' Gen' 'tis M' Taskers request & M' Dulany's
desire with y' Advice to Me that the Office is Sufficient for two.
When an Office can admit of more Officers than One the
Admission is good Policy, giving dispatch to Affairs of
Goverment.

130 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert The Completion of the Gov'^ House you mention wo"* give

Papers, ^y Loj-J pleasure he is dispossed to a Voluntary Gift to it,

But it is a Public Concern unfinish'd not secured from Bad

Weather, Occassion'd by Party ag' common Sence, he will not

make good such Foible.

Col: Cresap's Map of the North Bend of Potomack River
with respect to the North Temporary Line removes the doubt
of the Bend touch^ the Line, there being south of the Line
Considerable distance of Country between the Line & the
Bend, Admitting extensive passage to the Spring head of that
River. The observation in 1669 at Newcasde & also the Act
of Virginia concern^ the North Boundery is of service as it
Points the opinion of that Collony about the North Line of
Maryland, Out of w*" the latter was taken, 'tis unlucky that
Governor Dinwiddle informs you, that no Acco' of Maryland is
to be found on Record in Virginia, such are said to have been.
The several Attested Copies Viz' Old Surveys, Patents, warrants
& Certificates of Land at present Disputed between the two
Provinces w''' the Comiss" Journal of run of the North Temporary
Line are arrived, but no Map or Plan of the Line, tis a con-
cern to understand the Maryland Comiss'" suffered themselves
to be grosley imposed upon by an Allowance of 25 perches
more for uneaueness of the ground w*" you observe " on infor-
mation was too much by 10 or 12 perchs" M' Chamberlaine
& M' Gale were the Comiss" the latter I am inform'd
Estimates himself on the Mathematicks. The papers with the
assertions in answ' to M' Logans Case of the Claims ag' Mess"'"
Penns you sent are of Service. My Lord is well pleased with
the remove of the Magistrate, who Ill-treated M' Vazey on his
taking observations near the North Temporary Line, &
depends you will at all times exert & obstruct the Encroachm'^
of the Penns on that part of his Province, Essential to him.

M' Keys request to you, w*" you desire of me for his son as
County Clerk when a Vacancy happens you have my Consent
to note such Appointm' in My Office, Exclusive of that to M''
Dulany.

It Gives me pleasure that his Majestys Arms (in lieu of those
borrowed of the Province destined on the Canada Expedition)
are arrived in the Province, the Obtaining of them cost me
much pains. But no Other than as my Duty. In answ' to y"
of the 8"' of Aug' AnsW to mine the 5"' of Ian>' last, f Let' to
S' Tho' Robinson Sec^ of State is delivered as also y"'* to the
Earl of Hallifax & Lords Cofniss"^" of Trade & Plantation.
You please me much in approving my Reasoning with Respect
to the Law of 1 2"* p' hogs'* the support of Goverm' What I
have said is grounded by facts on Record in the Province &
Admits of no Concessions in prejudice to that Right.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 131

Relative to y"" mention about the Merch'^ Compl' ag' the Law Caivert
you pass'd last Ocf Sessions Viz' " The Suplementary Act to p^p<="-
the Act Intituled an Act for the Relief of Creditors in Eng-
land." The Merch'^ here say, they must Expect little from
Bankrupts in Maryland, whose Creditors by the Act are to
have prior paym' to such in England the Mess" Hanbury's
have noted it most, no petition ag' the Act has as yet been
Offered My Lord. For my part I regard the Act proper &
think y' Arguments in Support of it clear & cogent, they are
a body tenacious ag' one another, none as the first care to lead
opposition, afeard to hurt his gain from his Corespond' from
w'" the Province may Enjoy at least for time an Advantage
Law.

The Tobacco Law has been with advice well Considered by
My Lord & has by his inclosed Inst"= his Determination by the
Law nothing is allowed to My Lord but his share of Enacdng.
The reasons & objections given by the Proprietor & the
Statute of Queen Ann about Foreign Coins are real Obstacles
ag' the Act & the Officers ffees seems certain wo'^ a been as
well paid as has been Customary to do. I can't help being of
opinion that a valuation given to Coin more than its Value by
the Act, must be gready prejudicial to private Money Interest
in Maryland ; the Lender by fforeign Coin will gain by the
Law much Surplus Value than the Cur^ of the Coin is in Value
& it will PIffect in Diminution the paper Cur^ of the Province,
w*" will be good as Sterling, as I have observed in a former Lef
It is certain in all Countrys Trade & Manufactures only
flourish by Ster*^ value: If Pensilvania Virginia & the Colonies
who accord' to the Act can lend by sending fforeign Coin into
Maryland, going for more than its Value with them, the return
must be by Ballance against Maryland, all returns in Exch^^
being Ster^ in Value, therefore the Surplus Value of Coin
must be a loss to Maryland.

The Copies of the Laws Enacted last Feb^ & May & the
Copies of proceed^' of Assembly of both Houses of July last
are Rece'^ The Laws as yet have not had my Lords full con-
sideradon as far as I am ludge of their Tendency I conceive
no objection than that of no Notice is had of the Proprietor,
but that of his share of Authority, you have by his present
Inst"' concern* ordinary of Hawkers & Pedlars Licences for y'
future Conduct thereon

Inclosed I send you the Heirs of M' Bennet's Case stated,
with M"" Murray the Attor'' Gen'^ Opinion in relation to the Act
you pass'd in Oct"^ Sessions. His Lord^" Inst"' allows me
nothing to say, his Reasons being sufficient for his Dissent to
the Act.

You observe, " That it has been found impracticable to dis-

132 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert posscss persons of any Surplusage Land w'' they hold by
Papers, patents in w*" such Land is described by Natural Boundaries,
tho the Patent shou'' err considerably in the Numbers of Acres
contained therein " The Dispossession is difficult & will be
very Expensive to force from those who hold Surplus tracts of
Land under Extensive old Patents, who as you observe "Will
never Resurvey the same upon the Conditions that are at
present insisted on by the Agent before he Grants Warrant of
Resurvey as he requires the Arrerages of such Surplus from
the date of the Patent" The Remedy you propose to adjust
between My Lord & such Tenants seems to me prudent &
judicious Viz' " to Permit the Patentee to have Warrant of
Resurvey for his Land upon condition he shall pay for the
Surplus henceforward at the Original reserved Rent" It will
be an immediate Increase of his Lord^" Revenue by Quit Rent
much to his Advantage, & will set out the vacant Land not
granted in the County. But of this matter for the present, has
from hence no Direction, you informing on Consultation with
M' Lloyd you will write more particular thereon.

Concern^ Indian Lands on the East shore, reference to the
Acts for Quieting the Possessions of the Indians inhabiting on
Nanticoke & Choptank Rivers. Section the i" "The Nanti-
coke Indians shall peaceably Possess all that tract of Land . . .
as long as they shall occupy the same . . . But they shall not
sell or Lease the same" The Choptank Indians shall peaceably
Possess the Land surveyed for them so long as they shall
occupy the same Section 2'' they shall not sell or lease it
except (3'^'') No lease to be longer than 7 years. The Acts point
Comiss'^* to Survey & ascertain the bounds of these Indians
possessions My Lord desires you will require as his Orders to
the Land office to Report to you How these Indian Lands be
at present Q'= if Indians upon the Premises if few, whether
worth his Purchase to have their right & to Establish Inhab-
itants, making the Lands occupy 'd Properties & thereby pre-
vent Illegal Setlers? These Lands by scituation are near the
dispute of the 3 Lower Counties if by Perchase the Mess"
Penns can take Advantage they will, therefore My Lord desires
your care & consideration to obtain him Possession of the
Lands, if Material & in Safe-Guard & good Policy ag' the
Pensilvanian Enchroachm" who on the East Shore are in Posses-
sion of a Considerable Country, in so much, I Question if there
be an Inlet as a Sea Port for Maryland on that Shore towards
the Atlantick Ocean. Espically if the Division Line be allowed
to commence East from Fenwick Island. Besides great Care
is to be had ag* their claim of Prior settlem' it seems a Maxim
of Right Guarrenteed them by the Minets taken of the present
Lord Chancelor's opinion on hearing the cause bet: them &

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 133

the late Lord " That the Country who first got possession & Caivert
set up Marks tho' no regular Colony got the right by Occu- ^^p^""®-
pation. If then not so, this in Law as great a Deception on
the Crown as any, pretend to involve the King in Warr, can-
not be a greater Deception. Cause of War, selling such a
Country, would be a ground to Repeal by Scire Facias ... so
stands on Grants." This is high Doctrine, seems under the
Title of Responsa Prudentum, & from this opinion may be
collected that in a Case of Contract between the Soveraign &
the Subject Nothing shall tend to prejudice the Cause of the
Soveraign. This tho' agreeable to Law under the Title of
Responsa Prudentum, that is to say, the opinions of Lawyers
is not therefore Law, because Responsa Prudentum, But
because Charters are admitt'd by the Soveraign & when there
is a Case of Private Contract bet: the Soveraign & the Sub-
ject, nothing shall Effect the Cause of the King or be allowed
but upon a Supposition that the same was reasonable from the
Beginning.

Thus much by Digression I conjecture to write on the
General Ground of Laws Natural & Politick. I observe in the
Votes & Proceedings of the Lo: House of Assembly the 26"'
of Feby last, A Motion by a Member Concern^ the 3000 Acres
of Land in Somerset County for the use of the Nanticok
Indians, that them Indians for some time pass have omitt'd to
occupy & have quitt'd the Possession of them Lands. " The
Act in 1704 of those Lands says Sextion i" "To be held of
the Lord Proprietary & His Heirs at the yearly Rent of one
Bear Skin to be paid to his Lord^ & his Heirs. Provided that
it shall be Lawfull for any Person that hath formerly taken up
& Obtain'd Grants from Lord Baltimore upon the Indians
Descert^ the said Land to Enter, occupy & Enjoy the same
Sextion the Last says. That it shall not be Lawfull for Lord
Baltimore to ask or have any Rent &c. of the said Tracts or
Devided parts as may have been taken up aforesaid within
the said Indian Boundary until such time the takers up &
owners aforesaid do enjoy or possess the same" An Act in
1723 Section i" says, of the Nanticoke Indians & their
Descendants shall have hold occupy possess & enjoy Possesion
during such space of time as they shall use & not totally desert
the same accord^to an Act in 1698 Intituled an Act for Ascer-
tains the Bounds of a Certain Tract of Land to the use of the
Nanticoke Indians so Long as they shall occupy & Live upon
the same." By these Acts, if these Indians have left their Tract
of Land, it Reverts to the Lord Proprietor, except such Prior
Grants made out as to Particular parts aforesaid. The motion
of the Member seems obvious, was to take the Goverm' un-
guarded & by a New Act to strip the Lord Proprietor of his

1 34 Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe.

Calvert Right & appoint the Land for other Purposes. His Lord^
Papers, ^^anks you for y"" Clear Decernm' & service therein & Desires,
you'l lose no time to order the Land Surveyor to Plan the
Premises with Enter into his Land Office, by Style & Title of
Bridgewater Manor, & that the Land may be Occupied by
Setlers under the same conditions his Lord'" Manor Lands are.
These properties, will increase the Proprietors Revenues when
all the Land is sold, the Period of time when the Land Office
will cease. The Choptank Indian Land his Lordp Directs
under the Title of the Manor of Egerton on vacancy in Honour
to his Lady.

Concern*^ M' Darnall Attor^ Gen' in y" lune the i" you seem
to think him not Sufficiently qualified for that Employ, other-
wise a Well Behaved sensible Man. 'Tis Certain, the most
able Lawyer ought to be for that Service, What think you of
M' Bordley Counselor at Law. He is said to be so. His
LordP in his Inst"' to you appoints him for Naval Officer at
Patuxent on y' request, make his acceptance conditional by
taking the Employ of Attor^" Gen' Both the Proffits will be
good reward to him. As to M' Darnall, My Lords Inst"'
Rewards him Deserving. The return of the Laws to the
Council is desired to be Quickn'd. Of County Work Houses
you Note for Vagrants. My Lord Approves well of such a
Law, care being taken in the formation thereof to hinder that
the persons Employ'd make not the Staple Manufactures of
Great Britain, from Produce of Maryland, as it will occasion a
Petition to Parliam' ag' such Provincial Manufacture. The
Mother Country will not Suffer Prejudice by Loss of Supply to
her Colonies & by her Traffick Especially in Cloath to Foreign
Markets. With relation to the Council Allowance. The
Extracts Concern*^ I sent you were to prove the same due.
My Lords Inst"' with you speaks of Concessions by them, w''
he has been in hopes wo'^ have adjusted the Difference bet:
them & the Lo: House, if that will not do, his LordP Considers
it not on him to be subject to a Demand or call upon him. Of
his Consideration to the Council, the Upp' House, he thinks
he gives proof in as much as they Enjoy from him the Most
Lucrative Employs in the Province ; However, that is no Rea-
son with him why they are to cease their Legislative Demand
on the Public, any more than the Lo: House Doth.

The affair of the Ohio, the Defeat of Major Washington by
the French is the Subject here, Losst from his Un-Military
Skill. Major Gen' Bradock with Considerable Forces & a
Grand Train of Artillery having taken Departure for America,
leaves Me little to say on that Head, as his Arrival will inform
you of the Expidition Truly. I incert some Extract Minits out
of the Votes of the Comons as it relates in General to America
Viz'

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 135

"Votes of the House Mercurii ii"" Die Decembris 1754. Caivert

" The order of the Day being read for the House to resolve ^-''P'^"-
itself into a Committee of the whole House to Consider of the
Bill for Punish^ Mutiny & Desertion & for the better payment
of the Army & their Quarters Ordered, That it be an Inst" to
the said Committee, that they have Power to receive a Clause
or Clauses to provide, that all Officers & Soldiers of any
Troops being Mustered & in pay w'' are or shall be raised in
any of the British Provinces in America by Authority of the
Respective Governors or Goverments thereof, shall at all Times
& in all Places when they happen to join or Act in Conjunc-
tion with his Majesty's British Forces, be liable to Martial Law
& Discipline in like manner to all intents and Purposes as the
British Forces are, & shall be Subject to the same Tryal Penal-
ties & Punishments."

Dec' the ly'** On closing, I have y'^ Ocf the 25"" Williams-
bourg Virginia, I immediately Delivered y'" Inclosed at S' Tho^
Robinson Sec^ of State & y'^ to Lord Baltimore who says, y'
Intelligence is obliging. The 20"* Instant I was with S' Tho^
who said he had lain your Let" before the King & that his
Majesty express'd, he was pleased with the Contents. This
Day I have y" the 2^ & 15"" of Sep' with the Duplicates of the
Laws in Feb^ & May last. The remark you make on the Law
concern^ Ordinary Licences pass'd in 1 746 Rectifyes the Mis-
take of the Upp' House being out three or four years by Cal-
culation. The Rev'' M' Copp you have not heard of continues
in Carolina The Benefice intend'd for him. My Lord gives
you leave to dispose of & of S' Johns & Christ Church in
Queen Anne County their Income is so smal 'tis Difficult to
get Clergy here to Accept. 'Tis with concern I understand
from you the progress of the French & their Strenghing them-
selves by Forts on Monongahala River in the Ohio Country,
& that they have begun one on Greenbrier River in Augusta
County Virginia, too Near Maryland, however by y"" Oct' the
25''' the Money being Arriv'd from England to Virginia & that
the Comand of his Majesty's Forces being in you I am in
hopes, the Aid came in Time to Enable you to a Defeat of
them & their Designs. The Colonies have been Dilitory in
their Supplys, the preversness of the Assemblys has occasion'd
some of the Gov" to Apply Home for an Act of Parliament to
be obligatory on the Colonies, to Contribute their Quotas in
Defence of his Majestys American Dominion. The Consid-
eration of the Goverm' thereon I can't say however it wo'' be
Best the Americans did not Subject themselves to Tax from
hence.

Inclosed is the Report of the Lords of Trade to the Lords of
the Council ab' the Import of Salt from Foreign parts to Maryland

136 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert as it Will be of great Advantage I hope of the Goverm'' Interest

Papers, f^j. ^^ ^^^ ^f Parliam' for that purpose, tho' much doubt it, from

their Lord^" Observation in the Report, that it may Effect his

Majesty's Revenue. Inclosed is a Let' from My Lord to you, the

Contents in part I know is of a Gratuity for M' W a Person

you was in Company with My Lord I am sensible you will
add much Estimation with his Lord? by imeadiate Compliance
with his desire towards him, either out of that he points out to
you or by some other ; you'l excuse this hint to be mindfull
to the Desires of a Real Friend, for such is My Lord. My
Lord desires of you the Number of White Inhabitants & of
Blacks. May all Happiness attend you if Left any Material
unansw"^ in y" such shall be in the Next from him who is, with
Real Respect

Y' Very Obedient Hum'''"' Serv'
Ccecil' Calvert.

Bk.ii. [Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

p- 3'

Annapolis Decem' 10"' [1754]
Sir

I returned last Thursday from Wills Creek where I found
the Independants preparing for themselves Barracks, having
already compleated the small Stoccado Fort about which you
were advised they had been employed ; but as the Fort they
have finished is exceedingly small its Exterior Side not exceed-
ing 1 20 feet I conceived it requisite or rather absolutely necessary
to have another much larger raised on an adjacent & more
elevated piece of Ground which I have ordered the Maryland
Company to proceed on & I hope they will be able to finish it
this winter. The Eminence on which it will be situated gives
it an entire Command of that already compleated & will defend
a Face of that small Fort to which an Enemy might at present
approach without being much annoyed or hardly seen from
within, however That on which The Troops have been
employed may be useful at present & will serve to enclose
Store Houses or a Magazine after the other is compleated
which I think by an advanced Out Work or two will be easily
defended against a considerable number of Troops that may
presume to attack it with only a light Train. At my Arrival
at the Camp I was much surprized & concerned to find there

p. 32 was no more Provision in the Fort than would suffice the
Troops for one Day which I earnesdy hope will not be the
Case again lest the Enemy should get Intelligence thereof &
by posting themselves in different Parties on the adjacent
Hills prevent the Arrival of Supplies whereby the Garrison &

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 137

all the Troops notwithstanding their Advantageous Situation Letter Bk.ir.
must be reduced to the necessity of retiring & destroying or
relinquishing the Fort their other Works & perhaps their Bag-
gage to the Enemy, that nothing will be wanting on your
part to avert such an Accident I am well persuaded but con-
ceive the Troops will never be well supplied with Provision
unless a very different Scheme from that hitherto followed be
pursued. The most frugal & most likely means in my Opinion
of having that Affair well managed will be to appoint a Com-
missary of Reputation Ability & some fortune who with the
Assistance of a Deputy & a Clerk will be able to attend &
execute that Business in a proper & satisfactory manner. His
Clerk always & himself for the most part to be resident in the
Magazine at Wills Creek to receive Cure & deliver the Pro-
visions & if He be not entrusted himself with Authority to con-
tract for Provision yet to him should be sent Copies of all
Contracts as soon as they are made that he might know when to
expect the Supplies engaged for & might be able to inform
himself before the Time specified in Contracts for Delivery
whether the Venders be in a Condition to comply with the
Terms of their Contracts & in Case of a probability or Pros-
pect of their failure be it his Care to give immediate notice to
the Commanding Officer that proper & speedy measures may
be taken to prevent any ill Consequence from such an Event,
it will be also his Care to make the most of the Skins Tallow p. 33
&c for the publick which well managed & disposed of will be
a considerable Saving to the Government, the Regulating the
Books & in Case of His Masters Absence the Care of deliver-
ing out Provisions to the Deputy will be sufficient Business for
the Clerk, & when the Troops leave Wills Creek the Deputy
must always receive & take Charge of the Provisions & to
deliver it out at stated times to the Troops. This Affair of
Victualing the Troops being a matter of the greatest Import-
ance It will I doubt not be committed to a person of Honour
& Ability, wherefore I hope you will take my Proposal into
Consideration & if you approve thereof acquaint me what you
think a sufficient Recompence or Sallary for such a Service, &
if you have not engaged with any Gent" to act in such a
Capacity I can I believe venture to recommend or appoint one
whose Character, fortune, & Ability render him equal to the
undertaking. Whoever shall be employed to purchase pro-
vision of any Kind for the future I think should be directed to
insert in all their Contracts a Clause subjecting the Vender to
a large Penalty in Case of his non-Compliance with the Con-
ditions specified in the Contract that all extraordinary Expence
incurred by his neglect or Inability might be defrayed by the
penalty & the Governm' thereby indemnified. Care should

1 38 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

Letter Bk. II. also be taken to oblige the Venders by their Contracts to make
the Delivery at Wills Creek & no where else unless any Per- -
sons may be disposed to engage for the Delivery of what they
supply (whether it be cured or Live Stock fit to kill) to the
Deputy Commissary at any place the Troops may march to
after their Departure from Wills Creek & you will perhaps

P- 34 think it proper to encourage them to enter into such Engage-
ments & Stall-feed their Cattle during the winter by advancing
them a proportionate Price for whatever they will agree to
furnish in that manner. I have inclosed you a Calculation of
the Expence of supplying 3000 Men with Provisions for 8
months, which Quantity I apprehend it will be necessary to lay
into the Magazine at Wills Creek immediately by reason I
conceive it will be very difficult if not impossible to procure
Beeves or Hogs fit for the Slaughter after this Month & next
till July or the August following.

My Estimate is made in Maryland Currency which is at this
time with Sterling at about 65 -p C Discount. The Expence
of the hired waggons I could not know, neither have I taken
any notice of the number that will be wanted for carrying
Ammunition & Baggage. You will be pleased to give Direc-
tions (if you have not already ordered a sufficient number to
be made or purchased) that Barrells enough to receive the
meat be immediately laid in, the most eligible way I think
would have been to send proper workmen & Coopers to have
Cut & prepared Staves & made them up near the Camp but as
I am dubious it will be now too late to proceed in that manner
(for unless the Timber be washed or cleaned from Sap before
it is made up there will be a great probability of its damaging
or quite spoiling the meat with which they shall be filled) I
hope you will give strict Orders to have them procured or
prepared in the best manner that the time will permit, & in
the mean time I think the Comissary might proceed to salt up
some Provision in large Troughs or Vatts that might be made

p. 35 for that purpose I was told on my journey that at the late
Secretary Carter's Estate there are a large number of Hogs to
be disposed of, if you should think fit to order them to be pur-
chased you will take Care to have it agreed that they be not
driven to the Camp till a quantity of Salt be carried up &
Receptacles for the meat first made & here I must observe to
you that there had not been any Salt in Camp for a con-
siderable time before my Arrival there when I got some
brought up on Horses Backs. The Cattle that had been
driven to the Fort, for want thereof could not be killed but
were permitted to range the woods & to hinder their Stragling
quite off it was found necessary to hire Herdsmen constantly
to range & ride thro the woods to prevent their passing the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. \ 39

mountains, this has occasioned an extraordinary Expence & Letter Bk. 11.
as M' Gist had pledged the publick Faith for their payment, I
thought myself obliged lest that should suffer & to induce the
Herdsmen to take care of the Cattle till they can be killed to
advance them in part of their wages 15 Pistoles. I was much
concerned having such frequent & incessant Applications
made to me all the time I tarried at the Camp by numbers of
People who have credited M' Carlyle & His Agents on the
publick Account; such Delay as they complain of in satisfying
their Demands has reduced the publick Credit to a very Low
Ebb which will be attended with very bad Consequences I am
afraid unless some Steps can be taken to retrieve it. I hope
you will be pleased to order M' Carlyle without farther Hesi-
tation to discharge all Debts that he has contracted with any
of those people particularly the person whose waggon was
pressed to bring off the men who were unfortunately wounded p. 36
at the Engagement at the Meadows. I was importuned also
a good Deal by M' Gists Creditors with some of whom I am
indeed somewhat suspicious that he has hardly acted the
honest part; wherefore I would beg the favour of you to
signify to me what sums were advanced to him when He was at
Williamsburg & for what uses that I may examine whether all
the Complaints against him are without foundation I was told
that He did receive several Sums of Money of you to discharge
a good many Debts but that instead of appropriating it in that
manner He paid off with part thereof some old Debts that he had
contracted on his own private Account & with the Remainder
purchased a Quantity of Goods to trade with also on his own
Account. Gist acknowledged to me that He had received
^45. for Andrew Montour but Montour did not receive a
I-^arthing thereof by which He complained to me that His
private Affairs & Credit had received no small Detriment,
wherefore I was induced to advance him ^^25. His Sallary as
Indian Interpreter & ^20. towards defraying the Expence of
the 18 Men raised by Your Order & supported from the 26'''
of May to the 26"' of November. A Copy of his Account I
herein inclose, the Money I advanced him made him pretty
easy for the present but as He declares himself in want of
more, I hope if his Account cannot be objected to the Arrears
will be much reduced by another payment His Behaviour
while I was at the Camp prejudiced me in his favour & as I
esteem him a very useful Person I will endeavour by all means
to keep him firm in our Interest. I find He has some Expec- p. 37
tations of being considered for his Attendance & Services at
the Treaty which M' Innes held at Wills Creek with some of
the Chiefs of the six nations if you approve of giving him
any thing more than his Allowance you will be pleased to

140 Correspondeiice of Goverjior Sharpe.

LetterBk. II. remit it him or signify as much to me that at my Return I
might satisfy his Expectations. One James Johnson also made
a Complaint to me against M' Gist alledging that some time
before Gist went to Williamsburg, he agreed with him for 18
Beeves which Johnson was to drive to Salisbury Plain &
receive the money for them at Gist's Return to the Camp, but
when in pursuance of the Agreement the Beeves were brought
He was then told by Gist that as he could not procure money
at Williamsburg to pay for the Catde He must be excused for
declining the Bargain & said that M' Johnson must also give
a little longer Credit for some money due to him for Flour that
He had delivered in at the Camp some time before for that He
could at present let him have one pistole only in Part of Payment.
Johnson complains that apprehending Gist was empowered
to contract for the Government he reserved the Catde for him
& has neglected & refused every other market or Chapman
whereby he must greatly suffer unless you will be pleased to
direct that the Beasts be accepted & payed for according to
his Agreement. As there were a number of fine Beeves offered
for Sale while I was at the Camp & the Owners on finding
no purchasers there, were about to take them away to Phila"" I

p. 38 ordered Col° Cresap (who has the Care of laying in provisions
for the Maryland Company to contract for them & keep them
till they can be slaugtered imagining that if those were driven
away others of equal Goodness would not be procured this
winter on such easy terms what the Cost of them is I will let
you know as soon as Cresap sends me the Accounts, & I also
expect to be drawn on at the same time for the Price of
6 Waggons which I have agreed for & will be brought to
Wills Creek loaded with Flour at 12/ -p C I would have
agreed for more to put things in the greatest forwardness but
was doubtful that /70. for a Waggon Harness & four Horses
was too extravagant a Price. I cannot but think that the sev-
eral Rivers & waters that occur & intersect the Road from
Belhaven to Wills-Creek on the South Side of Potowmack
will render the Conveyance of Stores that way expensive &
very uncertain wherefore I apprehend it will be the best
& easiest way to land every thing that shall be sent up Potow-
mack for the Troops at Rock Creek whence our waggons will
carry them to Conegocheek where Battoes may be made to
convey every thing thence by water. I have ordered a Batteau
or two to be made & then I shall after Tryal be able to estimate
the Expence of that method & will give Orders for those
6 waggons to be employed between that place & Rock Creek.
I wish you could find it easy to engage a few Ship Carpenters
& send them to the Camp & order up thither some Cartridge

p. 39 paper, Moulds for Musket & Swan Shot, wire for Screws &

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 141

prickers Flints & match for the Carriage Guns, & also send up Letter Bk.
some wampum there being but little remaining at the Camp.
I have given Orders for raising a Company of 30 Rangers to
be composed of People conversant with the woods & Back
Country to be employed as Scouts & parties of Intelligence &
as Guides to any Detachments from the other Troops whom I
might think proper to send abroad. M' Cox applied to me for
a Commission referring me to you for a Character but many
Circumstances lead me to think he is very unworthy of your
Countenance or favour. M' Burney did not Choose to exer-
cise his Trade for 2/6 or 3/ a Day & of his Fitness or Capacity
for an Abassador I have very little reason to be satisfied. In
my way thro Belhaven I advanced Col° Stevens 98 Pistoles to
be divided among the Officers who are gone a Recruiting.
The South Carolina Company have not a Single Blankett or
Matchcoat among them but expect & hope to be supplied by
the Gov' of Virginia from an Opinion that you have already
made the New York Companies a Present of that kind. I told
them that I imagined that if the New York Companies had
been supplied since their Arrival in Virginia they were by the
Governt. made Debtors for the same & that payment would be
expected from their respective Officers. You will be pleased
to inform me if that be the Case & if the others have been
supplied at free Cost I think as these stand in equal need you
will incline to make them the like present. Since the Treaty
was held with some of the Six Nations at Wills Creek a party p. 40
of those People being ignorant what Agreement or Treaties
those warriors of their nations at Wills Creek had made &
before the Return of them home marched off to attack the
Catawba Nation upon this Intelligence I sent off a Messenger
to the Catawbas to advise them what Enemies they may
expect to be attacked by & to what Cause such a proceeding of
the Six Nation Party is owing lest they should have deemed
this Attack on them to be a Breach of Faith after such a
Treaty had been held at Wills Creek & I hope the Messenger
will not find any Difficulty in prevailing with them notwith-
standing this Affair to be present at the Treaty to be held next
April at Winchester. I have this moment received a Letter
from Colonel Innes acquainting me that He had received
Intelligence by an Indian, of the Arrival of iioo French & 70
Adirondacks at Fort De Ouisne & that 400 French & 200
Canuagas & Ottoways were at the Head of Ohio ready to
come down that as soon as the Adirondacks came to the Fort
the French Commandant sent them in 3 Divisions against the
English Back Inhabitants but whether against the Inhabitants
of Virginia or this Province the Indian could not learn the
same Indian informed him also that 300 French Families have

142 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

:. settled this Fall at Madcreek on this side the Twightwee & not
far from the Maguck Town. Apprehensive that such a great
Reinforcement will not lye idle & inactive this winter I have
writ to Col° Stevens ordering him to get every thing ready for
a march to the Camp & to let me know what Day the Troops
will be ready to march that I might take a Ride thither &
Review them before their Departure & I beleive that as soon
as I shall have dismissed our Assembly who are to meet this
Day I shall return again to Wills Creek. As I am entirely
unacquainted with what Steps you have taken to gain the
Indian nations I should be obliged to you for informing me
what has been already done & what you would advise me to
do farther & whether you are of Opinion that any Service
might be done or Benefit received from our sending proper
Messengers to the Twightwees desiring their Assistance &
also to the Southern nations, the Cherokees Catawbas Creeks
& Chicasaws. I should have mentioned to you that I have
given Colonel Innes Orders to deliver to the Officers of the
three Independant Companies ^^12 Ster^ to be distributed
among the private Men of each Company as extraordinary pay
for the Labour they have undergone in building their Barracks.
Captain Poison has writ to me to order an Enquiry to be made
by a Court Marshal into his Conduct, I should be very glad to
know whether it be agreeable to you that I comply with his
Request Your Letter dated the 12''' of November I found at
my Return to Annapolis, the Stores except the 6 Carriage
Guns I have ordered to the Camp from M' Lewis's Description
of these Guns I am apprehensive they are only 4 Pounders
therefore you will forbid the making of any Shot till M' Lewis
makes me an exact Return descriptive of them. There are
now at Wills Creek Captain Clark being not yet returned, Three
Captains Eight Lieutenants one Ensign Twelve Sergeants
thirteen Corporals Seven Drummers & 295 private men the
Maryland Company included. With the greatest Regard I
am &c.

P. S. The French Prisoners at Winchester are in a dis-
tresful situation especially the Officer who is almost naked, if
you think proper you may be pleased to order them to Bel-
haven where they may be better taken Care of & perhaps
give the Officer Leave to walk the Town on His parole of
honour.

Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe. 143

rSharpe to Calvert.] Letter bu. i.

, P.9S

p Capt. lomson.

lo"" December [1754]
Sir,

the Captain who is charged with this having only this
moment waited on me to know my Commands to England &
being in haste to be dismissed I have only time to acquaint
you that our Assembly is to meet this Day & that I am a little
fearful they will not be found so well disposed to do the Busi-
ness for which they are convened as I could wish. Capt p. 99
Coolidge will sail in 3 or 4 Days, by him I will do myself the
honour of addressing you again & of transmitting another
Letter to the Secretary of State. I am &c.

[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.] Original.

Virginia Williamsburg Dec'' ly"" 1754.
Sir

Your Letter of the lo"' I rec"^ last Night & am glad of your
safe return to Annapolis. I am much surprized that the Fort
built at Wills's Creek is in such situation as to be Commanded
by an Emenence near to it, it was ill judged when begun not
to consider that; & I much approve of your ordering another
to be built on that Emenence.

The want of Provisions in the Camp gives me very great
uneasiness on receipt of your former Letter, which is much
owing to the Indolence & Neglect of the Comissary; to pre-
vent this for the Future, I apointed two Comissarles one M""
Cha' Dick a Person of Fortune, & well known in the back
Counties & one M' Thomas Walker a Person of Fortune &
great Activity. The first is to make Purchases & order the
Provisions to be delivered at the Camp & the other is to
receive & pay for them, & see them properly issued to the
Men, this Step I hope will for the Future keep the Forces
properly supplied, & I shall send Money from Time to Time
to make punctual Payments; I propose paying each Comissary
200 "p Annum, & they are to have an Agent at Winchester to
forward every Thing to the Camp «& I shall send up blank
Bonds to tye the Venders to a punctual Compliance with their
Contracts, a List thereof to be sent to the Comissary at the
Camp, & my Proposal is that one of them or a Person properly
qualified always attend the Forces. These Gendemen were
approved by the Council, who's Advice I took as being a
Stranger to them, otherways I shou'd gladly complied with the
Gentleman you had in View. I shall write them if possible to

144 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

encourage the People to Stall feed some of their Cattle, &
engage a large Quantity of Bacon.

Your Calculation for supplying 3000 Men for eight Months,
I think very accurate, it's a large Quantity to provide so late
in the year, & the greatest difficulty will be providing Cash &
Salt. M' Carlyle told me when here that he had sent a
Quantity of Salt to the Camp, which now surprizes me that
there was none there. I have ordered M' Dick to send a
Quantity imediately which I doubt not is done & desired him
to buy Negroe Coopers, or hire Coopers to go to Wills's
Creek to make Cask for packing the Provisions in.

The Charge of Waggonage I conceive will be monstrous
large, & I think the most frugal Method will be to purchase
twenty for the present which I presume you may get in
Pensylvania. The Quantity of Barrels wanted are not to be
procured here in two years Time if Salt is to be purchased
reasonable with you, if a Quantity was put in Barrels it wou'd
answer in some Degree, & indeed Pork salted in Bulk may
keep till Aprill, but then it shou'd be barrel'd up. As for
Hoggs, M' Dick writes me he can procure 1000 & more,
delivered at Wills's Creek at 2^ -p lb. which is better than buy-
ing at M' Carters. It is surprizing Carlyle was so neglectful
as not to have Salt to cure the Beef, you acted very properly
in hiring herdsmen to take Care of the Cattle. I am under
surprize & uneasy that Carlyle has not paid the People, he
rec*^ from me ^905.. 7.. 10 for 306 Head of Cattle, in which was
included those bought by M' Gist, & he was present when I
paid him & M' Carlyle was also paid in October for all the
Waggonage & one or two lost in the Service, & every other
Demand he brought in against the Public I must therefore
esteem him unjust in not paying the poor People, & I shall
imediately write him properly on that Head — he rec'' from me
1299.. 12.. 9 (besides the above sum) to pay for Provisions &
other Necessaries supplied the Independent Companies; & he
reC from the Treasurer the Ball" due on Ace' of the Virginia
regim"

M' Gist reC^ 45/ to pay to M' Montour, but by the Ace'
sent appears he paid him only 20^ what other Monies he had
was from Carlyle to pay for Cattle purchased the particular
Sum I know not. — M' Montour's Ace' is very unfair, he had
no orders to raise the Men charged, he had the Comission to
protect him in Case he shou'd fall into the Hands of the
French, as he is proscribed by them, he was to attend the Camp
go out upon Scouts when ordered by the Comanding officer.
I esteem the Man & procured him a standing Salary as Inter-
preter of 25^ p Ann. after the Skermish at the Meadows he
went home from the Camp & yet charges his Mens Pay till

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 145

26"' of last Month, the Ace' is made up for him by some of the
Woodsmen, who are a very bad set of People he may be a very
useful Man if he can be kept from these Wretches; If he is
allowed his own Pay & Salary he cannot expect to be paid as
Interpreter at the last Treaty — I dare say Johnstons Beeves
are included in the 306 I paid, & am convinced all the Supply
of Flour was paid, they therefore do wrong in not paying
him. Gist was never employ'd by me to make any Contracts
if he was by M' Carlyle he is to answer for him. If you desire
it, I will pay for the Beeves at M' Cresaps when I know the
Amo. — I am not a Judge of Waggons &c but as they are much
wanted, I think you shou'd purchase Twenty, & when you
write me I shall either send Money or a Bill of Exch'' to pay
for them; four of them to be sent from Wills's Creek to Win-
chester will be constantly employ'd in carrying Provisions &c.
to the Camp & probably may have the good Effect of engaging
the Country People to hire their Waggons at moderate Prices.
I shall be glad if the Method you propose for Conveying Pro-
visions &c from Belhaven by Rock Creek, Conegocheek &c
may prove Successful, but I fear in Freshes the Battoes cannot
go up, & in Sumer they will want Water, but a Tryal will not
be amiss. In the mean Time I have ordered flat bottom'd
Boats to be built on all the runs from Winchester to Wills's
Cre'k, such that will receive a Waggon ; & I am told by cutting
a new road from Winchester to Wills's Creek, they can shorten
the way 30 Miles, which I have ordered to be done — I shall
endeavour to procure some Carpenters. I think there is at
Alexandria Cartridge Paper, Flint & Match, the other Things
I shall endeavour to procure I shall send the Wampum up.
Raingers are surely a very necessary People as Scouts, but
pray be on your Guard in respect to the Traders, who appear
to me to be an abandon'd sett of Fellows, however if you can
pick out such you can confide in they will be of great use on
many occasions — M' Cox know no more of him, than a small
Knowledge of him formerly in Bermuda, but his Character
with you is the only rule to guide in Affairs of that Nature, &
I therefore will by no means interfere. — M' Burney was very
solicitous with me for a Comission, which I by no means tho'
him equal to, but proposed his acting as Armourer at 2/6 p
Day, he refused & pray'd my Letter to you — Col° Stephens
wrote me you had advanc'd him some Money for recruiting.
The S° Carolina Comp^" sh'' be supplied with Blankets, but
this Colony will not pay for them ; as they are a very good
Company, I think the Cap' may draw for such necessary Supply
the N. York Company's must pay for theirs — It was entirely
right & kind of you to send to the Catawbas, informing them
of the Warriors that were gone out against them to put them

146 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

on their Guard, & I shall be very glad the Meeting at Win-
chester may succeed, for a Peace between the Northern &
Southern Indians I have had greatly at heart — At that Treaty
it was agreed that Monacatoocha shou'd carry a black Belt of
Wampum & a Hatchet to the Six Nations at Onondago,
acquainting them that some of the six Nations, Shawannoes &
Delawars had taken up the Hatchet against the French, &
desiring them to do the same. If this cou'd be effected it
wou'd be of great Service in engaging many Tribes of Indians
to join us. Col° Innes desires me to send four Belts of black
Wampum, for this Dominion Marj'land, Pensylv^ & N York,
which is wrong, but have now wrote the Gov' of N York on
that Subject for his Interest with these People to declare them-
selves in our Fav° & if he see proper to send a black Belt in
behalf of this Colony. A Letter from you to him on the same
Subject, I think would be proper.

I am sorry for the Ace' Col° Innes sends you of the arrival
of 1 100 French & 70 Arondocks at the Fort. I am in Hopes
the Intelligence is false; first because Indians cannot count
Numbers, & as they must pass Oswego Fort, the Gov' of N.
York promised to give me due Intelligence of any Numbers
that passed that way ; but we must conclude they will bring as
many Forces as they possibly can by the Spring of the Year.

And I have reason to expect 1000 regulars from Great
Britain in six Weeks Time. The Transports were taken up
in October last, & Comodore Keple in a 50 Gun Ship comes
their Convoy. — I also doubt the 400 French & Indians at the
Head of the Ohio, or the 300 Families setded at Mad Creek.
I shall be very glad to have the Ace" contradicted. I am glad
you have ordered Col° Stephens to march, & that you will
review them, there is a Company of fifty on the Frontiers of
Augusta, that shall join the others when you write me to that
purpose.

Your Presence at the Camp will undoubtedly be of very
great Service, I therefore hope your Assembly will not sit long,
& that they will consider properly our present situation, & grant
you a further Supply. The Cherokees & Catawbas I think
are strongly in our Interest. I have wrote M'Glen to influence
them & to perswade a Number of their Warriors to join our
Forces near the Ohio, early in the Spring — And I am fully
convinced a Message to the Twightwers will be of great Service
as they have hitherto appeared strong Enemies to the French;
if they knew our Intentions they may be of great use in galling
the Enemy in their rear, or at least prevent a thorough Junction
of their Indians ; the sooner this is done I think the better, but
it must be such Messengers you can confide in.

What you order Col° Innes to do in regard to paying the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 147

Independ" for building the Fort shall be allowed him — What
Cap' Poison dem"*' a Court Martial for I know not, unless it is
on this Subject, I order'd Col° Stephens to send him & Cap'
Waggener to go a recruiting, he refused going, on which I
wrote him a Letter on the Subject which he has not answered ;
I was angry he refused my orders delivered him by Col°
Stephens ; for which I think he deserves a severe repremand
at least, if not something worse, I must therefore refer this
to you — I am sorry the Guns are only four Pounders, those
at the Camp are of the same Size. Cap' Arburthnott says they
are six Pounders & Charges 1 5^ p Pss. for them ; he says
you spoke for four compleat seamen, which he will send at
18"^ "p Day. I admire Cap' Clark is not returned to his
Duty. —

Now I have answer'd your Let' I am to acquaint you I have
recruited 44 Men sent to Alexandria, & this Week sent in two
Sloops to Fredericksburg 150 & in a short Time I hope to send
the like Number as I have officers in different Places recruiting,
& wou'd gladly hope to make the Number from this Dominion
from 800 to 1000 — I much want to know what Pensylvania
Assembly have done, if they raise Money we may depend on
a Supply of Provisions from that Colony — Your Calculation of
Provisions for 3000 Men I think just ; but how to supply the
Salt & Cask I know not ; for the carrying these two Articles
to Wills's Creek will be near three Times the first Cost. I can
purchase Barrell'd Pork & Beef, but the same extraordinary
Carriage will attend them ; Pray write me your answer &
Thoughts thereon ; & please forward the enclosed by the most
speedy Conveyance it's in regard to the Treaty, that if M'
De Lancey shall think proper to send a black Belt to the Six
Nations, that he wou'd send one for this Dom" —

Pray order two or three officers to Winchester to receive the
recruits, as there will not be sufficient with them to keep them
in proper order. I have been very much fatigued since
parting, & likely to continue, but if its now the Affair in View
I shou'd be very well pleased — I shall order the Prisoners to
Belhaven, & give the officer the Liberty of walking the
Town. —

My Wife & Girls join me in kind respects & I am with
great Truth

Your Excell^^
Most hble & obed' Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddle

P. S. The two Pair of Wheels are almost
finished that you ordered to be made
if wanted let me me know & they
shall be sent.

148 Correspondence of Gover?ior Sharpc.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p. 99

19 December [1754] transmitted by M' Chamier
Sir

When I writ yesterday sen'night I was in Expectation that
ee'r this I should have been advised of the Issue of the Pensil-
vania Assembly's Meeting & have known what would have
been the Event of our Meeting also but to my surprize I have
not yet heard any thing from Phila'' tho their Assembly have
been met ever since the 3^* Inst. & I desired Governor Morris
to acquaint me by Express as soon as they should have come
to any Resolution, & I am sorry to acquaint you that my Fears
are encreased since I then writ that we shall be forced to sepe-
rate again before the Business that 1 have recommended to our
Assembly be done. Their Address which you have inclosed
gave me indeed great hopes that their Resolutions at this time
would redound to the honour of his Ldp & themselves but
when they came to the point & the Question was put they
could agree to grant ^7000 only, & to raise that they are I find
inclined or rather determined to bring in a Bill for striking
more Paper Money upon what Scheme I do not as yet well
know, but if they should persist in such a Design I shall take
the Liberty to adjourn them for a week or two & see what
Effect that will have, for I am persuaded it is almost the
universal Desire of the people that some Money should be
given on this Occasion. I defer writing to The Ministry till I
can learn something certainly from Gover' Morris & represent
the Conduct of our Assembly I hope in a more favourable light
the same Unwillingness to trouble His Ldp with what I know
will give him Uneasiness will make my Excuse I hope for
delaying to address myself to his Ldp till a more agreeable
Occasion.

Letter Bk. II,
p. 42

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

Annapolis Decem' 26. 1754.

I embrace the Opportunity of M' Wolstenholme's journying
to Williamsburg to acknowledge the Receipt of y" Letter dated
the 17"' Inst. I am pleased to find that we are likely to have
people who understand & will carefully perform the Business
of Commissary. One of them I hope has already received
Orders to give his Attendance at the Camp & after the
requisite Quantum of Provisions is laid in or contracted for you
will be pleased to order the other or as Clerk to repair thither
also, for I must have one of the Commissaries to attend the
Troops when they come to move. I should be glad the Com-
missaries would return you & me as soon as possible a Copy

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 149

of the Scheme they have projected to supply & carry out pro- Letter Bk.
visions for the Troops that we may see what we have to expect
or depend on. Upon reconsidering the method I proposed for
the Carriage of the provisions & the Calculations that I
inclosed to you ifl my last, I think the Expence might be greatly
diminished by having some of the Meat dryed & the rest
packed in Casks containing only 100 lbs of Salted Meat which
will be portable on Horses which can carry 200 lb each beside
their provender, the Difficulty we should be under of getting
or hiring a sufficient number of waggons I think recommends
this method & the Consideration of the Accidents that Car-
riages are subject to, & that Horses can more easily avoid any p. 43
party of the Enemy that might happen to be sent to intercept
them than waggons which cannot divert from the beaten Track
tho they should receive Intelligence of the Enemy's Approach
still makes this method I think more Eligible, however I leave
that to the Commissaries whose Care it will be to calculate the
Expences of every Method & pursue that which appears most
frugal. The Salt you mention was sent from Rock Creek last
week & I suppose that as soon as proper Receptacles can be
prepared the Cattle that are to be slaughtered this winter
should be driven to the Camp & there killed & cured, how the
Skins & Tallow is to be disposed of you do not mention but I
doubt not you will give Instructions to the Commissaries as to
that matter. Tho the Country people should be prevailed on
to stall feed their Cattle this winter & engage to drive a con-
siderable number out to the Troops in the Summer as they
shall be wanted, yet I think enough Salt provision to serve the
Troops 5 or 6 months is the least that ought to be now laid in,
& the Troops after they leave Wills-Creek must never be with-
out enough to serve them at least 3 Weeks or a Month, the
Casks may be returned to the Magazine as they are emptied
& will serve to inclose such Meat as may be pickled' in
Troughs there but the Consideration & management of that I
leave entirely to the Commissaries. I should be glad to have
your answer concerning what is to be done with respect to that
Johnson mentioned in my last & his Beeves, whether you will
order them to be received of him or whether I shall have it p. 44
signified to him that He must seek out another market.
Cresap acquaints me that He has purchased 29138 lb of pork
& 1 31 97 lb of Beef already cured & in Barrel at his house
more than will supply our Company for 12 Months, this &
64 Beeves still alive he ventured to purchase as I mentioned
before on a Supposition that there might be some Difficulty to
procure & lay up a sufficient Quantity for the Troops at this late
Season & imagining it would be very acceptable to whoever
should be appointed to act as Commissary to have such a

150 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. quantity on the Spot as cheap or cheaper I believe than it can
now be procured elsewhere ; whether you will choose to have
it taken of him by the Commissaries is entirely at your Option
I shall only desire him to Stall-feed during the winter as many
of the Beeves as I gave him Orders to detain & if the others
are not wanted give him notice that He might dispose of them
elsewhere. He had also laid in about 8000 lb flour more than
the Quantum for the Maryland Company which I apprehend
has been nearly consumed by the Independants who have not
been able to get any sent them but from that Store for a con-
siderable time. I have only agreed for 6 Waggons with four
Horses & Harness to each to be delivered all of them for
^280, & each of them will come loaded to the Camp with 20
C of flour, at the price of 1 2/ Currency -p C these according
to the Directions I gave at the Camp were to be employed two

p. 45 of them there in drawing Timber for the Fort or otherwise as
should be found expedient, & the other four to be employed in
carrying up to Conegogeek the Stores that now are or may be
landed at Rock-Creek, but I will contradict the Orders I left,
that they may be employed between Winchester & Wills-
Creek since you prefer that Rout, tho from the Observations
that I had an Opportunity of making by journying to the
Camp one way & returning the other I am satisfied that you
will find the Carriage thro Winchester much more expensive
than on the North shore of Potowmack, especially if you take
into the Account the Charge of building such a number of
Boats & of opening such a Road as you propose to shorten
the Distance by the way of Winchester, I have got one more
Waggon made which as soon as I can procure Horses for it
shall be sent up; but as it is a very difficult thing to procure
Horses from any place nearer than Lancaster in Pensilvania &
I have no Acquaintance near that part of the Country whom I
could desire to make purchases for me, I will leave that Busi-
ness entirely to the Commissaries who may perhaps have
Opportunities of making advantageous Bargains, as they will
be conversant among people who are likely to have some to
dispose of. I have inclosed you a Letter from M' Carlile with
an Account of all the money that he supposes due from the
Government of Virginia on Account of the Troops, but I know
that Col° Innes if you please to write to him on that head can
return you a List of many people's names which are not there
inserted who have Claims on the Virginia Govern' You will be
pleased to observe in my last that for want of Salt at the Camp
the Herdsmen had been hired long before I went up, & that I

p. 46 only advanced them some money in part of their Account lest
they should desert the Catde before they could be killed which
they seemed disposed to do. The whole ^45. that Gist had

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 151

received for Montour was spent (as I observed to you before) Letter Bk.
e'er Ife reached the Camp which necessitated me to advance
him so much. I did not know that what you mention was the
Intent of giving Montour a Commission & indeed I question
wliether the Man did not misapprehend the purport of it him-
self, otherwise I tliink he would not have proceeded to raise
any Men for the Service, which that He did M' Washington
can inform you whose Orders Montour & his Company were
attendant on at the time of the Engagement, for this Reason
I hope you will notbe averse to considering the Man & satisfying
the Expences he has been at in supporting his Company, not-
withstanding his doing it was not ordered by you but was
owing to some Mistake or Misapprehension of his own, for
my own part I cannot help thinking him as I before hinted a
well-meaning well-disposed Man & of all the Traders Interpre-
ters or Woodsmen without Comparison the most promising &
honest. I should be obliged to you for acquainting me with
your Determination with respect to him that I might acquaint
him on what footing He stands & what he is to expect, the
Opinion I have already conceived of the Woodsmen & Traders
is very similar to that you entertain of them & I assure you I
shall be very cautious whom I admit of them into the Com-
pany of Rangers that I spoke of. I am sorry to acquaint you
that I have received the Intelligence I before advised you of
concerning the Reinforcement arrived at Fort du Ouisne from
Gov' Morris, but I have writ to Governor Delancey (inclosing p. ^^
your Letter) requesting him to inform me if he has learnt any
thing of such a number of the Enemy having been in Motion.
Our Assembly are at present returned home without having
done any thing besides making a Vagrant Act similar to that
lately enacted in Virginia, they will meet again the is'*" of
January very soon after which time whatever be the Issue of
their Meeting you may expect to hear from me at the Camp &
in the mean time I hope there will be no urgent Occasion for
my presence. Capt. Clark is now gone to his Company & I
have ordered Col° Steven to collect all the Recruits to Belhaven
& prepare for leaving that place having as yet commissioned
no Officers myself but those belonging to our Company
& there being but few at Belhaven I could not send any to
Winchester but have ordered Col° Steven to bring them from
Fredericksburg & take them under his Care. You will let me
know what new Officers you intend to appoint, the Old Com-
panies I think should be first compleated & the new Ones to
be then raised & formed w"' the same number, each Company
to consist of a Captain 3 Lieutenants or 2 Lieutenants & an
Ensign. 4 Sergeants 4 Corporals 2 Drummers & 100 private
Men. As i know not what Messages have been already sent

152 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. to the Twightwces or what it will be proper to say to them in
Consequence of your former Treaties with or Overtures to
p- 48 them, I must request you to answer me particularly as to that
point & that you will send me a proper Belt to be carried with
my Message. What made me apprehend that the Guns sent
to Belhaven were only four pounders was M' Lewis's misrep-
resenting to me their Dimensions & the Diameter of their
Chase which he told me he had measured but I have received
a Letter from him since advising me that on his reviewing &
reexamining them at his Return in Compliance with my Direc-
tions he found he had not been sufficiently accurate in his first
Measurement & that he had upon discovering his Error writ
■ to you to acquaint you that he found the Diameters of the
Bore of those pieces to be 3 Inches & ^V & to desire you to
order Ball to be made of the same Diameter, in that however
he has again erred for the Diameter of the Ball ought to be
always 2 Lines at least less than that of the Guns Chase so
that instead of having the Ball made 3.7i"<=''es y^^ ^j|j pig^se
to order them to be only 3.5 '"'='>"■ Be pleased to present my
Compliments to Capt. Arbuthnot & acquaint him with the
Cause of my Suspicion & that if you approve thereof I will be
obliged to him for his Men at that Rate. I should be glad you
would get some Shot made for that small Brass-Gun at York
& send them up together with the Gun & those Wheels from
Williamsburg by the first Opportunity, it was reported with
us that 2000 Men were expected over immediately from
Europe which I should have been glad to have seen con-
firmed, if you Preceive any farther Advice concerning what
Assistance we are to expect from home you will not delay to
acquaint me therewith.

I am &■=

p- 49 [Sharpe to Morris.]

Annapolis, December 27. 1754
Sr.

Your favour of the 3"^ I have had the pleasure to receive since
my Return to Annapolis & most heartily wish the hopes you
entertain of your Assembly's Disposition may be fully answered
tho my not having yet received a Line of Advice makes me a
litde doubtful of your Success. You will be pleased to think
that your kind mention of Capt. Rutherford has confirmed the
Opinion I had before entertained of him & that he shall not
want my Regard & particular Notice. Your Care in commu-
nicating to me so speedily the Intelligence you had received
of the Arrival of such a Reinforcement at Monongahela much
obliges me, I have also received the same Account from Col"

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 153

Innes of which I acquainted you by the last post. As the Conduct Letter Bk.
& Behaviour of that M' Croghan (a Copy of whose Letter you
inclosed me) was represented to me in no very favourable or
amiable light I cannot help taking the Liberty to mention some
things that have been said of him & to desire you unless you
are satisfied of the falsity of them to have him a little observed,
it has been asserted that He is a Roman Catholick & that one
Campbell a person of the same persuasion generally resides
at his House, that several Circumstances afford Room to suspect
that this Campbell paid a Visit sometime since to the French
Fort, but indeed I should not have given much Credit to such a
Story as this without it had been supported by stronger proofs
than were offered to me had not the Behaviour of M' Croghan
in opening a Letter of the greatest Consequence sometime
since from M' Stobo which was not directed to him & taking p- 5°
as is asserted a Copy thereof did not make me a little sus-
picious of his Integrity & fidelity, in Excuse of this Step of
his I am told He urges the importunity of the Indians who
were with him & pressed him to let them know what Advice
the Letter contained : if that was the Case He ought by no
means to have taken such measures to satisfy their Curiosity
but I cannot learn that they even made him a Request of that
Sort or were very desirous of knowing the Contents of the
Letter: it has been also reported that M' Croghan had Remit-
tances made him to pay the Indian who brought him the Letter
very hansomely but that he retained the Money & delivered
only a small parcel of Goods far inferiour to it in Value. In-
formation was also given me that by forging & telling them
false Stories he diverted a number of Indians from coming to
the Camp at Wills Creek some time ago in order to serve
thereby some private Ends of his own if his Behaviour has
deservedly subjected him to such Censures you will I doubt
not be able to make some Discovery & deal with him as he
might deserve. One Gerrard Pendigrass an Indian Trader on
Juniata has been represented to me as a person well acquainted
with the Back Country, if you will order him to be enquired
out & endeavour to learn what Character he bears & if he is
willing to attend the Troops as a Guide on Occasion You
will much oblige &c.

[Sharpe to De Lancey.]

Annapolis Decem. 27. 1754
Sir

I am informed that the Inhabitants or the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs at Albany have lately made a League of Friend-
ship for themselves & the Gov' of New York with the Canuaga p. 51

1 54 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. II. Indians upon which a considerable Number of those People
imagining that their wives & families whom they have left
behind will be secure under that League of Peace & Amity
from the Resentment of the English on that Quarter are come
down to the French on Monongahela to put themselves under
the Direction of the Commandant of that Fort. We are told
also that since the Conclusion of that Treaty the Canuagaes
have acted as Messengers & Mediators between the Governor
of Canada & the Six Nations & have prevailed with the latter
to go to Quebec & enter into an Alliance with the Inhabitants
of Canada where they at this time are. Of the Event of
such an Interview if it be really held at Quebec you will be
pleased as soon as you learn yourself to inform me, & if the
Consequences of that seperate Treaty with the Canuagaes
at Albany have been such as they are represented here
you will I hope forbid any League to be made for the future
unless all the Colonies be included as they were in the Treaty
held with the six Nations in July. Gov' Dinwiddie has
desired me to send you the inclosed Letter which He tells me
requests you to use your Interest with the Indian Tribes &
engage them if possible to declare in our favour, if that can be
effected & you think proper to send them a black Belt as from
Virginia you will be pleased to send them another in behalf of
this Province. About a week since I received Advice that a
Reinforcement of i loo French & 70 Aruadacks were arrived
at the French Fort & that 400 more were at the head of the
Ohio coming down to join them, if you have received any
Intelligence from Oswego or elsewhere of the March of such
numbers you will be kind enough to acquaint me & as we shall
in case we proceed to act offensively next Spring stand in great
need of a Mortar or two & some Bomb Shells neither of which
p- 52 can be procured in either of these Colonies I hope you will
not be averse to sparing us a small Supply of both from your
Magazines & any small Cannon that you cannot have imme-
diate use for, till we can get a sufficient Number of each sent
us from England, your Compliance with this my Request will
Exceedingly oblige &c.

Original. [Diuwiddie to Sharpe.]

Virginia Williamsburg Jan'' 2^ 1755
Sir

I have waited with Impatience to hear what your Assembly
& that of Pensylvania have done, in regard to their granting
supplies for the Expedition. By a Ship from London I under-
stand His Majesty & the Ministry are very Sanguine in grant-
ing proper supplies of Men & ordnance Stores, The Trans-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 155

ports were to sail from Gravesend to Ireland the first of
November, to bring over two Regiments; & that M' Shirley &
5r -^m Pepperell were to raise two Regiments in New England
the officers all nominated for these Regiments, which I presume
is to make a Diversion against the French to the Northward.
The Forces from Ireland may be expected here the End of this
Month, or early in Feb*'

The providing Provisions is what I have greatly in my
Thoughts. I have sent the Comissaries to the Camp with
Money to purchase Flour & Pork in the frontier Counties; &
I am endeavouring to purchase a Quantity of Pork here to be
sent to the Camp. I have found here two Mortars & forty
shells fit for Service, with the two pair of Wheels you desired
to be made. I desire your Advice whether to order them to
Fredericksburg, Alexandria, or to Rock Creek ; if to the last
Place, pray write me the Person's Name I am to recorfiended
them to be forwarded by, and if you think that the best Con.
veyance. I must send the barrel d Pork to that Place. I shall
earnesdy endeavour to provide a large Quantity. I have had
pretty good Success in recruiting, I believe our Forces from
this Government are now about 500, & hope by the Middle of
next Month to make them at least 800, the Charges of recruit-
ing run very high. Pray have you ordered the Purchase of
Twenty Waggons & Horses? let me know if I shall send you
Bills of Exch^ to pay for them. You desired the Guns from
Cap' Arburthnott to be charged to you, & the Hh'' of Rum,
they are sent up to Alexandria & enclosed you have the
Account thereof, if you desire me to pay it, it shall be done.
As you wrote me you intended to order the Forces at Alexa''
to march to the Camp, I have sent Money to pay them to the
last of Dec' & have desired them to march imediately if they
have your orders so to do, it's a Pity they have been so long
idle as they might have been serviceable at the Camp. There
are 200 at Fredericksburg, which have ordered to Winchester
to join those from Alexandria & there will be Provisions for
them there. And I ordered the Comissaries to endeavour to
purchase four Waggons, if possible to reduce the monstrous
hire of Waggons, in which Article we have been greatly impos'd
on, by an extravegant Charge. Pray write me when you intend
for the Camp. I have been endeavouring to procure Carpenters
& Coopers, but as yet have had no Success. I I sent to Fred-
ericksburg two Smiths with Bellows, Anvil & Tools, with orders
to proceed directly for Wills's Creek — As I expect a Supply
of ordnance Stores, I suspend purchasing any for the present.
Let me know what is imediately wanted that I can purchase
here.

The Assembly of N° Carolina is now sitting, but what they

Letter Bk. II.
p. 52

156 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

have done I know not. I wrote to all my Friends at Home
the Necessity of a Supply from the Parliament, which I have
some reasons to expect —

I heartily wish You Health & Success in conducting the
Expedit" & I remain with very great regard & Esteem —

Your Excellency's
most obed' hble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddle
P. S. I presume you will engage Men )
to drive the Waggons by the year — j

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

Annapolis January S'*" 1755
Sir

I had prorogued our Assembly to the 20"^ of Feb^ & pro-
posed to spend the intervening time at the Camp to which
place I was preparing to go but shall now decline it till I receive
your Answer I apprehend you must on the Receipt of tiiose
pacquets from England meet the Assembly of that province,
of the time you propose you will be pleased to acquaint me &
if you think it necessary & expedient I will set off immediately
for the Camp but if you think it adviseable I will postpone my
Journey thither & issue proclamation for our Assembly to meet
as soon as possible after I am favoured with your Answer. I
am &

[Sharpe to Gov. Fitch.]

Annapolis January 10. 1755
Sir

The Letter you favoured me with the 30''' of Nov' I have but
lately received & as I am since informed by a Letter from one
of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State dated at White-
hall the 26"' of October that He had by his Majesty's Order
sent Letters of the same Date & Tenor to all His Majestys
Governors on the Continent directing them how to proceed &
what Steps to take for the Defence of His Majestys Dominions
at this Critical Juncture & also advising them that His Majesty
had been pleased to order 2 Regiments over from home & 2
more to be raised in the northern Colonies & that a General
Officer might be soon expected here to take the Command of
all these Forces, I conceive you do not now expect an Answer
53 to the several particular Questions you were pleased to pro-
pose to me but that you will find yourself sufficiently instructed
by the Secretary of State His Letter & that in Compliance
therewith you will endeavour to procure from your Assembly
as large Supplies as possible in which Endeavours I heartily
wish you Success & am &c.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 157

[Sir John St. Clair to Sharpe.] Original.

Williamsbourg Jan. 11"' 1755
Sir,

I herewith transmit to you two Letters from the Secretary
of State relating to the present circumstances of Affairs in
America.

As His Majesty has appointed me Deputy Quarter Master
General to the Troops to be sent forthwith to Virginia, and
those to be leavied in the different Provinces; I have taken the
first opportunity of acquainting you with my Arrival in Vir-
ginia, in order to make the necessary preparations for the
reception of the two Regiments which were to embark at Cork
a few Days after my departure from England, and which we
may reasonably expect will arrive in a very short time.

I shall be glad to know the particulars with regard to what
may have lately happend in the Province you command, that I
may regulate myself accordingly, and have them ready to lay
before General Braddock on his landing that no time may be
lost.

As I am an intire stranger to the Ground in America, it is
highly necessary I shou'd get the best information of its situa-
tion that I can, which I have no other way of doing, but
requesting of you to send me any Maps or Drawings you may
have of your Province, which I shall return to you after they
are copied ; or if you have any knowledge of the ground at
the back of our Setdements it will be of use likewise for me to
have it.

These are things that General Braddock will expect that I
shoud have, that he may be exactly informed of the distances
of Places, for regulating the marches of the Troops (if necessity
requires it) thro' the different Provinces.

Being ordered by His Majesty to correspond with you, I
am glad of this opportunity of expressing the Respect with
which I am

Sir
Your most obedient and
most humble Servant
John S' Clair

P. S. It will be of the greatest consequence
to have the proportion of men from your
Province in readiness for completing the
two Regiments from 500 Men to 700

To His Excels Horatio Sharp Esq' Gov"^
of Maryland.

158 Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe.

Original. [St. Clair to Sharpe.]

Williamsbourg Jan: the 12"' 1755
Sir

I shou'd have thought myself extremely happy if I had any
prospect of finding you at Willis's Creek, for which place I
propose setting out from hence by the middle of the week, in
order to set people to work for erecting Log houses for the
quartering of the two Regiments which are daily expected.
As I have no other Method to acomplish that most essential
part of my Instructions but by employing a number of Men at
that place who are under your Command ; I must request of
you (that no stop may be put to our Expedition) that you will
send me a Letter to Willis's Creek for the then Commanding
officer to give me any Number of Men wanted for that Service,
that the Troops may not be obliged to continue on board of
their Transports at Alexandria longer than needs must.

After the Work is began and in a fair way of going on, I
propose returning hither to receive General Braddocks Com-
mands and to see things ready for the Reception of the Sick.
I am with the greatest Regard & Respect

Sir
Your most obedient and
most humble Servant
John S' Clair.

To His Excelly Horatio Sharp Esq' Gov' of Maryland.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Baltimore.]

p. 99

Jan^ 12. 1755. transmitted by Capt. Allen.
MyLd.

I am sorry to be obliged to acquaint Your Ldp that the
Apprehensions which I expressed in my last Letters to M'
p. 100 Calvert have proved but too well grounded as the lournals of
both Houses Proceedings last Session will discover to your
Ldp: A Bill was indeed brought in for granting the Sum of
£'jooo but as a Clause in it ordered an Addition of ^4000 to
be made to the paper Cash already in Circulation & another
Clause extended the Continuance of the Act concerning
Ordinaries for the payment of part of this ^7000 the Bill was
stopped in the Upper House, & as it was evident to us that
nothing could be expected from the Lower House after that
Bill was returned them & that they would make no Conces-
sions I thought myself under a necessity of complying with
their desire to be prorogued & have with the Advice of your
Ldps Council protracted the time of their prorogation to the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 159

20"" of next Month by which time I expect to be honoured Letter Bk.
with your Ldps farther Instructions & to receive more par-
ticular Directions for my Conduct from His Majesty, if not, I
shall meet the Assembly at the time appointed & despair not
of seeing them convinced of the Danger & Injury that
another Emission of Paper would threaten to the province & of
finding them disposed to grant Supplies in a more acceptable
manner, tho indeed I am somewhat doubtful that the con-
tinued Obstinacy of the Pensilvania Assembly may have some
influence on their Conduct. I have taken the Liberty to
inclose for your Ldp the last Pensilvania Gazetts by which your
Ldp will see what Disputes subsist between M' Morris & the
Assembly of that province which cannot be determined or
appeased without His Majesty will be pleased to interpose. I
have just received a Letter from Governor Morris in which He
acquaints me that an Act passed at the last Session of the
Lower County Assembly held at Newcastle granting /looo
for the Kings use to be disposed of as Gov' Morris & the
Speaker of that Assembly shall see expedient; he also
intimates to me that he entirely despairs of bringing Matters with
the Pensilvania Assembly to any favourable Issue but that He
is told that they have voted ^5000 (a sum inadequate to the
Riches of that province) for Provisions & Carriages which
money is to be put into the hands of five of their own Mem-
bers. I also send your Ldp a Copy of the Deposition
mentioned in one of Governor Morris's Messages which he
tells me he has transmitted to the Secretary of State : it is
probable that the Account therein given of the Numbers of the
French may be exaggerated but is very certain that their Force p. loi
at the Ohio is considerably increased & that 200 of the Otta-
way & Canuaga Indians who are entirely at the Devotion of
the French were also on their way thither so that the strength
of the Enemy on that River cannot by any Accounts be sup-
posed to be less than 1000 at this time.

A few Days since was forwarded to me from Boston where
a Man of War is arrived from England, a Letter from S' Tho^
Robinson dated at Whitehall 26"' of Octo' at which time my
Letter says one to the same purport was dispatched from the
Secretary of State his Office to every Governor on the Con-
tinent. It is thereby signified to me that His Majesty for the
Defence of his just Rights & Dominions in those parts has
been pleased to order over to Virginia two Regiments of Foot
consisting of 500 Men each beside Commissioned & Non-
commissioned Officers to be augmented by us to 700 Men
each ; & likewise to send Orders to Governor Shirley & S'
W" Pepperel Colonels to raise two Regiments of 1000 Men
each & " whereas (says the Letter) there will be wanting a

i6o Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Considerable number of Men to make up the designed Com-
plements of the said four Regiments it is His Majesty's
pleasure that you should be taking the previous Steps towards
contributing as far as you can to have about 3000 Men in readi-
ness to be enlisted, & it is his Majesty's Intention that
a Genl. Officer of Rank & Capacity to be appointed to com-
mand in Chief all the Kings Forces in North America a Deputy
Quarter Master General & a Commissary of the Musters shall
sett out as soon as conveniently may be in Order to prepare
every thing for the Arrival of the Forces above mentioned
from Europe for the raising of the others in America " the
Letter then proceeds in general terms to excite us to raise
such Supplies as the present Danger requires particularly with
regard to the following points that we should carefully provide
a sufficient Quantity of fresh victuals at the Expence of this
Gov' to be ready for the use of these Troops at their Arrival
& to provide Carriages for carrying the Baggage of such
Forces as shall arrive or be raised within this Govern' & with
Regard to such other Articles as are of a more general Con-
cern S' Tho^ Robinson's Letter acquaints us that it is the
King's pleasure that the same should be supplied by a Com-
mon Fund to be established for the Benefit of all the Colonies
collectively in N. America; for which purpose you will use
p. 102 your utmost Endeavours says he to induce the Assembly of
your Province to raise forthwith as large a Sum as can be
afforded as their Contribution to this Common Fund to be
employed provissionally for the general Service of N America
(particularly for paying the Charge of Levying the Troops to
make up the Complements of the Regiments above mentioned)
untill such time as a Plan of a general union of his Majestys
Northern Colonies for their common Defence can be perfected,
this is the Substance of the Secretary of State his Letter; on
my Receipt of which I desired the Advice of your Ldp's Council
whether to issue Proclamation for the Assembly to meet before
the Day appointed to consider of granting requisite Supplies
& paying Obedience to the Royal pleasure or whether it would
be more proper for me to proceed as I had intended to the
Camp where my presence seems quite necessary to have the
American Troops a little disciplined & to see provisions laid in
& proper preparations made for the Reception of those Regi-
ments from England as well as those Companies that are
raising in Virginia & this Province. At present there are at
the Camp the 3 Lidependant Companies & the Maryland
Company compleated to no. the Virginians who are at
present dispersed & quartered in several parts of that province
have Orders to begin their March thither in Divisions to Mor-
row, their Number Gov. Dinwiddle informs me when they come

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 16 1

to join will be about 500, which Number he proposed to increase Letter Bk. i.
to 700 or 800 but I know not whether this last Letter from
home will not make him decline it as there are thereby no
Directions given how they are to be formed, or on what footing
or Establishment they are to be raised, this Doubt & ignorance
makes us wait with impatience the Arrival of those Regiments
& farther & particular Instructions from His Majesty : as to
levying any number of Men I conceive we shall not find it
difficult especially as the Assemblies of this Province & Vir-
ginia have passed a Sort of Press Act, but the Difficulty will
be to get money from the Assemblies to support them after
they are raised ; indeed this I look upon as impracticable or
not to be expected without the Legislature of Great Britain
shall make a Law to be binding on all these several Colonies
& oblige them to raise such a Fund, as may be thought expe-
dient for the Support of their own Troops. This is all the Intelli- p- 103
gence I can send your Ldp as to these publick Transactions &
the present posture of Affairs beside an Account of the Assem-
blies of New York & the Jersies having refused to grant any
Supplies unless their respective Gov"^" will consent to a new
Emission of Paper Money which it seems they are both by His
Majesty's Instructions positively forbid to do without a sus-
pending Clause till His Majesty's Approbation can be signified.
As to your Ldp's private Interest I ajn greatly concerned at
being obliged to acquaint your Ldp that it will be I am afraid
considerably affected by these Disturbances & the Danger
that appears to threaten Ds, to advance the price of any of
your Lcip's Land that remains unsold will I doubt be rendered
impracticable & the Vicinity of the Enemy to the frontier
Counties where most of the Vacant Land lies has already very
sensibly lessened the number of Applications to your Ldp's
Land Office; but I have the pleasure to acquaint your Ldp
that I have a prospect of being able to advance the Rent
of your Ldp's mannour in this County from ^3. 15 to^5.p
100 Acres as the Leases under which the Tenants at present
occupy terminate. I am &c.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

Ian" 12. 1755.
Sir

I am not a little sorry at being obliged to acquaint you that
I have found the Apprehensions I intimated to you in my two
last Letters but too well founded, as you will learn from the
perusal of the Journals of the Upper & Lower Houses pro-
ceedings last Session which I take this Opportunity of trans-
mitting. I am persuaded that when the Vote for granting the

1 62 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Sum of ;^7000 for His Majesty's Service was passed the
Majority of the Representatives fully intended to give that
Sum after an acceptable manner, but when some of the Poli-
ticians who out of their singular regard for the Pocketts of
their Constituents & perhaps their own Interest discovered to
the House that instead of ^90000 of the paper Cash which
should have been brought into the Office some years since &
exchanged for New Bills, only _^85,984. 14. was brought thither,
consequendy that the Difference between those two Sums
p- J04 remained still in the Office persuaded the Rest of the House at
least the Majority of them that the Sum of ^401 5. 6 must be
supposed to be sunk or annihilated by peoples wast of the
Bills or by fire or other Accidents, therefore that tho what was
laid into the Office to exchange these old Bills had they been
brought in at the time appointed should be now put in Circu-
lation yet it would not affect the Value of our Currency as
there would be in reality no more even then issued than was
ordered & directed by the paper Currency Act. thus these
patriots argued on the fallacious principle & Supposition of
that Sums being vanished & annihilated when every person
who pays or receives any considerable Sums of paper Money
knows & sees that that Money, at least a great Deal of it is
still in Circulation & the true Reason of its being not payed in
at the Office & exchanged for Bills on the Fund in England &
new Paper, was its being possessed by many people in such
small parcells that it was not worth their while to journey with
it to the Office some no doubt might be wasted but nothing
like the quantity they would have presumed ; beside had we
concurred with the Lower House in permitting the Emission
of this ^4000 upon the next Demand on them for Money they
would it is probable have been for another Coinage, the ill
Consequences of which are too obvious for me to mention,
especially if the Law to support it should be made to respect
at all the Fund on which the Credit of our present Currency
depends. Another Objection too to the Bill was its protracting
the time of the late Law regarding Ordinary & Pedlars
Lycences which I cannot bear to think of till 1 shall be favoured
with His Ldp's or your full Instructions as to those Articles. I
find that from the Jersey Govern' there already is a Law &
that it is expected that from the other Northern Govern" there
will be Laws or Addresses sent home for striking Bills of
Credit ; in Case these Requests should be heard at home I
must beg you to give me particular Directions for my Conduct
as I think it is more than probable that our people will be dis-
posed to fall on the same Scheme I have acquainted his Ldp
p. 105 with my having extended the time of the Assemblys proroga-
tion to the 20''' of next Month soon after which protraction I

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 163

received a Letter from the Secretary of State, the Contents of Letter Bk.i.
■which I have taken the Liberty to communicate to his Ldp, &
as it urged me to call the Assembly of this province & procure
Supplies I consulted the Council thereon who advised me not
to meet the Assembly before the time that had been appointed,
as so much time must have been necessarily spent before the
proclamations could be published that the Assembly could not
have met in obedience to them a great many Days before the
time before mentioned. As I conceive you are no stranger to
the several particulars mentioned in S' Tho' Robinson's Letter
respecting the Transportation of Forces hither & who are
appointed to commend, & as I have quoted a great part of the
Letter to His Ldp I will not intrude on your time by my
prolixity on that head farther than to acquaint you that by the
inclosed I acknowledge the Receipt of that Letter, promise to
obey his Majesty's Commands & tell him that I am about to
depart again to the Camp where Ours & the Independant
Companies are & whither I have ordered the Virginia Troops
to march that I may endeavour to bring them under some
DIcipline to which they are as yet pretty much Strangers ; &
make some preparations for the Reception of those Regiments
from Europe of whose Arrival we now daily expect to be
informed. I have also inclosed for your perusal & mentioned
them to his Ldp the last Pensilvania Gazetts which are almost
entirely filled with Messages that have passed between Gov"^
Morris & the Assembly of that province who are still sitting
but are not now expected as Governor Morris informs me to
grant any Supplies at this time more than ^5000 for purchasing
provisions & Carriages for the use of the Troops who may
have Occasion to march thro, that province. None of the
Northern Colonies beside New York who gave ^5000 some
time since have been prevailed on to grant any Supplies as yet
unless the Jersles can be said to have done so who have given
about ^6000 Sts by an Act which it is expected will be dis-
sented to at home. I have writ to His Ldp acquainting him
with the evident Backwardness of the people to apply for Land
to His Ldps Office since these Disturbances have happened
which indeed makes me dispair of being able to advance at
present the price of His Ldp's Lands in the province & I am
apt to think that it will be no easy matter tho we should sue- p. ,06
ceed against the Enemy, as no doubt Numbers from these
provinces will then flock out to setde on Lands which they will
have on easy Terms & which by the Descrlpdon given of
them are realy extremely rich & fertll. however I take pleasure
in acquainting you that I have a prospect of being able to
advance the Rent of Arundel Mannour (many Leases on
which are now expiring) from ^3. 1 5 to ^5. p 100 Acres, but

164 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

I believe we must include a little of the Reserve in each of the
Leases as they come to be renewed. I have also inclosed as I
promised An Account of the Importations to this province in
the 1753. which however is very defective & indeed cannot be
otherwise, as the Quantity & Quality of the European Goods
imported is & must be unknown so that no Estimate can be
made of their Value which it must however be concluded is
exceedingly great as otherwise we cannot conceive what
becomes of our money while it appears by Exchange with
England being rather above par that we are not increasing our
Riches. The Consumation of Rum you will think I doubt not
very extravagant & indeed I wish some method could be
fallen on to prevent it which must be by an Excise Law other-
wise the pensilvanians would clandastinely bring in greater
Quantities than at present tho I believe they already make
a vast Addition to the Quantity that I have in the Estimate
noticed as legally imported. I am &c.

Letter Ek. II. [Sharpe to Sir Thos. Robinson.]

P- 54

Annapolis January 12. 1755.
Right Honourable

in Obedience to His Majesty's pleasure which you had done
me the honour to signify to me, very soon after my Return
from Virginia I proceeded to the place called Wills Creek
where Governor Dinwiddle had ordered the three Independant
Companies with that of Maryland to Encamp, at my Arrival
there I learnt that the French on the Ohio had been Reinforced
by some Regular Troops from Canada & by a considerable
number of the Arundack, Ottoway & Canuaga Indians which
Tribes are & have been many years attached to & entirely
devoted to the French Interest. The Confirmation of this
Intelligence & Account, the Inconsiderable Number of the
Troops that we had at that time been able to Levy «& the sur-
prizing Backwardness of the people to enter into the Service
soon convinced me of the Vanity of the hopes I had entertained
of being enabled to attempt something successfully this winter,
wherefore I tarried there only about a fortnight while the Men
were employed in finishing some Barracks which they had
before my Arrival begun, & I gave Orders as the weather
should permit to build some Store Houses for the Reception
& preservation of such provisions as it was necessary &
expedient to lay in immediately lest a severe Season should
set in & deprive the Troops of all means of getting any kind
of Supplies, the Situation of the Camp in a distant & almost
p. 55 uninhabited part of this province being better calculated to

Correspondence of Governor Skarpe. 165

protect the Virginia & Maryland Back Settlements & prevent Letter Bk. 11.
the Incursions of any small parties of the Enemy, than to be
easily & commodiously supplied at present with provisions.

Upon my Return thence I met the Assembly of this province
& pressed them in the most urgent manner to make an addition
to the Sum they sometime since granted for the Defence of
His Majestys Dominions, but the Conduct of the neighbouring
province whose Assembly was then & had been some time
sitting influenced but too much I doubt their minds & Behaviour
& made them averse (after having made the greatest profes-
sions of their being truly sensible of the Danger that threatens
them & fully determined to pay the greatest Regard & Obedi-
ence to his Majestys pleasure which you had been pleased to
signify to them) to granting any farther Supplies, unless by an
Addition to the paper Cash already circulating in this Govern-
ment, to which Scheme as it evidendy appeared pregnant with
many Evils & much Detriment to the province in general the
Upper House of Assembly refused their Concurrence. I have
appointed them to meet again the 20"^ of next Month when I
hope they will fall on some unexceptionable method, to raise
& give as large a Sum as the Circumstances of the Inhabitants
can afford : at least you will be pleased to think I hope that I
will leave no Stone unturned to procure from them such Sup-
plies as the Exigency of Affairs require & to shew on my part
the most dutiful & punctual Obedience to his Majesty's Com-
mands & the Orders & Directions that I have had the honour
to receive from yourself & the Ld proprietary. The inter-
vening time I propose to spend at the Camp for which place I
intend to depart to morrow ; having ordered all the Virginia
& our Recruits (who together make about 600) thither that I
may endeavour to dicipline them as well as the time will per- p. 56
mit & make proper preparations for the Reception of those
Forces which His Majesty has been graciously pleased to order
over for the protection of his American Subjects & his
Dominions upon this Continent. You will not I hope enter-
tain the least Doubt of my being incessant in my Endeavours
to excite & rouse the people of this province to the performance
of their Duty to His Majesty & themselves; & I beg leave to
assure you that to the utmost of my power I will obey in every
Article the Orders you were pleased to give me in your Letter
dated the 26"' of Oct' which I have just had the Satisfaction to
receive if the Troops who have Orders to be transported hither
should disembark in or have Occasion to march thro this
Govern' I will take Care that they shall want neither Victuals
or any accommodations that this Country where the Inhabitants
are dispersed & not resident together in Towns or Villages
can afford I should not do Captains Fitzhugh & Rosse on half

1 66 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. II. pay justice if I forgot or neglected to acquaint you that these
Gentlemen the one from Virginia the other from the Lower
part of this province have offered their Service & propose to
go on the Expedition. I yesterday received Advice from the
Camp that 15 french Indians of different Tribes came thither
lately in an amicable manner & at a Conference which was
held with them made great professions of their & their respec-
tive Tribes being determined to remain entirely neuter & not
to interfere in the Disputes which they observed subsisting
between the French & us, but notwithstanding all their Assur-
ances I cannot persuade myself to put any great Confidence in
their promises or to entertain any very favourable Opinion of
their Sincerity as I am informed that they came immediately
from the French Fort. Governor Morris has just acquainted
p. 37 me that he has received Intelligence of the Arrival of a very
considerable Body of the Enemy on the Ohio, but as he also
informs me that he has already taken several Opportunities
of transmitting such an Account to your hand I will not be
troublesome by a Repetition, or presume any longer to intrude
on your time at present than to profess with what Duty &
Respect

I am Right Honble Sir
Your most humb & devoted Serv'

[Sharpe to Morris.]

Ian'' 13"'
Sir

I could not help embracing the Opportunity by Capt
Rutherford of acknowledging the Receipt of your favour of
the 7 Inst. I need not express to you how much I am con-
cerned at the Account you sent me of your Assemblys
Obstinacy. I cannot but approve of your sending a Belt to the
Six Nations in behalf of this province tho for want of being
before acquainted therewith I have writ with Governor Den-
widdie to M' Delancey desiring him to have a Belt delivered
as from us In Case he should think proper to send any Mes-
sage to the Six Nations You will be kind enough to acquaint
me at Scarroyada's Return with the Event of his Journey &
you will I hope excuse the Brevity of this & attribute it to my
being just about to depart for the Camp where I propose to
tarry about a Month if nothing extraordinary & unexpected
requires my Return to Annapolis.

lam &

PS I should be glad to know how matters are at Vanango.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 167

[Sharpe to Dinwiddie.] Letter Bk.

P- 53

Annapolis, January 13"'

M' Lloyd the Gentleman who presents you this having
acquainted me with his Intention to depart hence for Williams-
burg to Morrow I was glad to embrace this Opportunity of
acknowledging the Receipt of your favour of the 2^ Inst.
I also desired him to trouble himself with a Pacquet directed to
Your Honour which I received last Saturday from Governor
Morris, as I apprehend He thereby acquaints you with their
proceedings & what He expects will be the Issue of his
Assemblys meeting I will not trouble you with a Repetition of
what He has writ to me. It is very probable that the Gentle-
man who is appointed to direct the Expedition will apply
to you for those Mortars & Shells in case a sufficient Supply
be not sent from home & as to those Wheels they will be found
useful at the Camp if you will be pleased to send them by any
way up thither You will be pleased to pay that Bill of
M' Hunters. I imagine the Guns as well as the Cordage may
be found serviceable notwithstanding Ordnance & Military
Stores are expected from home, & the Rum I will order to be
taken Care of for the use of the Troops as it may be found
necessary & if you please I will repay you the Amount of the
Bill. The first Division of the Troops at Belhaven have
Orders to march to Day for the Camp whither I am now about
to proceed myself & propose to tarry there about a Month if
no fresh Advices or Instructions require my earlier Return to p. 54
Annapolis As some of the Train will arrive from England you
will not want those Men from Captain Arbuthnot of which
I presume you will acquaint him. I shall take an Opportunity
of writing to you from the Camp & acquainting you how I find
things going on there I am &

[Sharpe to Braddock.] 1

Williamsburg g"" Feb^' 1755.
Sir

At the time I was setting out for Wills-Creek a Letter
came to hand from S' Tho' Robinson & having in compliance
therewith given necessary Directions for procuring a quantity
of fresh provision & raising a proportion of Men for com-
pleating the British Regiments I proceeded to the Fort to
prepare Materials & build Barracks there for the Reception of
the Troops under your Command that as little time might be
lost as possible.

Soon after my Arrival I was favoured w"* a Letter from S"^

1 68 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. In° S' Clair who arrived there himself two Days after being the
26"' Jan^ when it was thought unnecessary to put the Gov' to
that Expence as the Season w'^ be sufficiently advanced to
admit of an Encampment before the Artillery could be got
thither, or provisions & Forrage c'' be well laid in. should that
place be judged a proper Rendezvous which S' In" is in doubt
about & I am of the same Way of thinking.

The next Day S' lohn examined some Hunters that I had
appointed there to go with me & reconnoitre the Highlands
betAveen that & the French Fort ; amongst whom he found but
one person that understood or c'' give him any tolerable
information about the matter. After this & fixing upon a
proper Magazine for powder we set off to explore Potowmack
River which proved from the number of shoals & falls to be of
no Service in transporting either Artillery or other Baggage

p. 59 in our passage down S' lohn contracted for all the Forrage
Flour & Calavances on the Banks of that River the next
thing we went upon was a proper Disposition for Quartering
the Troops of all w*^*" S' lohn S' Clair having given you a dis-
tinct Ace' I shall not trouble you with a Repetition I have
inclosed Major Stobo's Acco' of Fort Du Quisne on Monon-
gahela & the Ohio Rivers when prisoner there (he was one of
the Hostages delivered to the French after the Action of the
Meadows) likewise a Journal Descriptive of some of the
French Forts from Fabres a french Deserter, this is the latest
& best Acco' that I have been able to get, & the Examination of
Cha: Courtenay a Deserter from the French taken upon Oath
before the Chief lustice of Pensilvania.

I have not been able to review the Virginia Regiment as
they are not as yet got together, therefore I can make you
no other Return at present than of those Troops now at Wills
Creek which is herein inclosed, & I am sorry to find myself
obliged to declare that the three Independant Companies by
no means answer my Expectations, particularly those from
New York, that from So Carolina is by much the best not-
withstanding their Loss in the Action at the Meadows.

I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you myself &
assure you that nothing less than the Meeting of the Assembly
should have prevented my Stay here till your Arrival in my
way to Maryland I propose reviewing as many of the Vir-

p. 60 ginia Regiment as are at Fredericksburg, & shall form a Com-
pany of Carpenters at Alexandria at which place I have
ordered them to rendezvous. I am with the greatest Esteem
& Respect

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 169

)harpe.]
Boston February 17, 1755

[Shirley to Sharpe.] Lower

House
Journal,
1736-54,
P- 43

Sir

The Designs of the French (in which they have so far already
succeeded) for Invading his Majestys lust Rights in these
Northern parts of America Contrary to the most Solemn
Treaties require these Governments as well for their own
Safety as in faithfulness to his Majesty without Delay to use
all Means in their power to frustrate these perfidious & per-
nicious practices.

Among other Measures necessary to be taken Especially at
this Critical Conjuncture (the present Aspect of affairs threat-
ning a Speedy Rupture) nothing we can do seems Likely
to tend more by the Blessing of God to Defeat the Schemes p. 43
of the French to swallow up all his Majestys Dominions on the
Continent in America, than that the Governments should
agree in the most Effectual Means for Stopping all supplies of
Provisions & Warlike Stores from being sent out of any
of these Colonies Without the Inclosed Precaution against
their being Carried to the French. —

The General Assembly of this Province have passed an
order for that End (a Copy of which I now Inclose) and have
Desired me to solicit the Govern'" of the Rest of His Majesties
Colonies to Join with us in this necessary Expedient for our
Common Safety.

Your Honour will observe that the Time for the Continuance
of this Prohibition is Restrained to three Months, but if the
other Governments should Join with us, I make no Doubt of
bringing my Assembly to Extend it further. —

It would give me great pleasure to have Your Honours
Concurrence with me in sentiments Concerning what appears
to me so Salutary a Measure at this Conjuncture for the Gen-
eral Good of all his Majesty's Colonies in North America

I have the Honour to be with the Greatest Respect
Sir

Your most Obedient Humble Servant
W. Shirley

[St. Clair to Sharpe.] Original.

Fredericksbourg Feb'>' 22^ 1755
Sir

I received your Excellencys Letter of the seventeenth Instant,
and was just going to Wills's Creek to execute your com-
mands, when I received the inclosed, which obliges me to
return to Williamsburgh ; I have taken upon me to move the

lyo Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Troops from hence to Port Royal in order to make room here
for the British Forces./

As the Maryland Forces will be wanted to compleat the
English Regiments, I have sent an order by M' Pitcher to
Wills's Creek that the Detachment of Maryland Forces now at
that place, may forthwith march to F"rederick to join the rest,
they will be then at hand to be incorporated with the British
Regiments. I have the honour of being with the greatest
Respect

Your Excellencys
Most Obed' Humble Serv'
John S' Clair.
To His Excelpy Gov' Sharpe.

Lower [De Lancey to Sharpe.]

House

J°"™^'' New York 24"^ February 1755

p. 44 Sir

On Wednesday last the Assembly of this Province was
adjourned to the s"* Tuesday in March after I had given my
Assent to three Bills one to regulate the Militia another for
Emitting Bills to the sum of ^^45000, ^^30000 of which for
Fortifications in this City and on the Northern Frontier, the
Third is the Act Herewith Inclosed by which you will see that
the Governor with the Advice of the Council is Empowered to
Restrain the sending Provisions to Cape Breton &c. I hope
the other Governments on the Continent will fall into the like
Measure, that the Good Intentions of this Law may not be
frustrated, for it would be unreasonable and would not answer
the purpose that the Trade of One Province should be
Restrained while the others are left at Liberty; I hope you
will prevail with your Assembly to fall into a Measure so very
proper at this Time and that all the Provinces will Concur, that
his Majesty's Subjects may no Longer by Supplying the
French with Provisions Enable them to Carry on their pernicious
Designs. You will observe that the Act is to Continue for
four Months, but I think I may Venture to assure you, that if
the other Provinces come into the Like Measure, this Assembly
will readily Renew the Act as Long as it can be of any Service.
I had the pleasure by Last Saturdays Post to hear from M'
Shirley that in Massachusets Bay they had passed a Law for
this purpose. I am

_^5000 is given for Provisions & ^ S'
other Contingencys in Case his I Your most Obedient &
Majesty's Troops Come into this [ Most humble Servant
Province J James De Lancey

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe

[Sharpe to Braddock.]

Annapolis Feb^ 27. 1755.
Sir

By Capt. Rosse an Officer on half pay the Gentleman who
presents you this I take the Liberty to congratulate you on
your safe Arrival in America which I have had the happiness
& Satisfaction to be informed of by a Lett' that S'' I S' Clair
did me the honour to write as soon as he was advised thereof.
You will be pleased to think that tis not without great Reluct-
ance I postpone for a few Days journying to Virginia to pay
my Respects to you myself in person, but I hope you will
excuse such my Tardiness when you learn that the Assembly
of this Province are now met in Obedience to a Lett' that S'
Tho'' Robinson has honoured me w"' requiring Aids of this
province for His Majestys Service & particularly to provide
provisions for the Troops that shall be under your Command
in this part of His Majestys Dominions. The necessity that
this Letf laid me under of being present here at this time will
I hope apologize for me till 1 have the pleasure of waiting on
you which I promise myself in a very few Days as I have
reason to expect that the Gent" will think of Dispatching the
Business abovementioned & returning home the beginning of
next week at farthest, but as I am in this manner incapacitated
to attend you, I have ventured to commit to writing & humbly p- 6i
submit to you the Opinion which the situation of the country
behind us & the late Transactions of the French has led me to
entertain. You will not I am persuaded condemn this Free-
dom in communicating my Thoughts unasked for as a culpable
Forwardness but rather attribute it to my earnest Desire to do
every thing that may be agreeable to yourself. — What Intelli-
gence we have lately rec'* concerning the French who have
been sent to take possession of the Country adjacent to the
River Ohio & their present Strength & Numbers in these parts
you will know from S' In° S' Clair & Gov' Dinwiddle & I
entertain the most sanguine hopes that their numbers there
will not be found very formidable, but I am apprehensive that
unless the Communication between Canada & the Forts &
Setdements th' the French have made to the Southward of
Lake Erie can be cut off it will not be an easy matter to secure
our possession of them after the Success of your Arms have
recovered his Majesty's Dominions on which the French Troops
have presumed some time since to encroach. The permission
& Lycence that that nation obtained some years ago to build a
Fort in the Country of the 6 Indian Nations at Niagara the
pass or Streight between the Lakes Erie & Ontario have now
given them the Command over those people & an Oppor-

LetterBk. IL
p. 60

172 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk.ii.tunity of monopolizing the Trade with the distant nations &
has secured to them a short & easy Communication between
p. 62 their northern & Southern Colonies, as they are Masters of
Ontario Lake by means of their strong & well garrisoned Fort
thereon named Cataracui, & the nature of the adjacent Country
renders a Road to Niagara by Land impracticable they have
not hitherto given themselves much trouble to render that place
more defensible than nature has made it imagining for the two
Reasons just mentioned that the English w'' never attempt its
Conquest however strongly its vast Importance might invite
them thereto. At present we have only a Trading-House
distinguished sometimes by the Appellation of Oswego Fort
on Ontario Lake where perhaps 50 or 60 Men from the
N York Independant Companies may now be posted, but by
w' I can find the French may make themselves Masters thereof
at a very small Expence & without much difficulty just when
they please unless some of the Indians should insist on its
being a place of neutrality as they did during the last war
between the two Crowns, should the Indians appear less
desirous of reserving the place to the English at present (which
indeed I am somewhat suspicious will be the Case) I appre-
hend the French will immediately dispossess us thereof as soon
as they hear of your Arrival & that they have something to
fear on Acco' of their late acquired possessions on the Ohio.
This as it seemed to me a matter of Importance I was unwilling
to delay communicating till I shall have the pleasure of waiting
on you w''*' as I am impatient of doing I hope I shall be able to
accomplish soon after this shall have reached y' hand in the
mean time I beg leave to assure you Sir that I am

p. 63 [Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

Annapolis feb. 27.
S^

I take this Opportunity of acquainting you by Capt Rosse
that I was advised Tuesday Even^ of Gen' Braddocks Arrival
by a Lett from S' In" S' Clair dated at Fredericksburg the 22''
Inst. I have now writ to the Gen' excusing myself for not
waiting on him at present by reason our Assembly are now
sitting they passed a Vote yesterday for £\oooo for the Service
I cannot learn that any Scheme is yet fallen on for raising the
money but am not without hopes that a Bill will be prepared in
such a manner as to obtain the Concurrence or Approbation
of all the Branches of the Legislature, this a few Days will
determine & enable me to inform you of the Issue of our
Meeting. In Obedience he says w"" your Desire Capt Steven
has writ to inform me that M' Dick has contracted for 200

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 173

Beeves to be delivered one half before the lo"" June the rest Letter Bk. 11.
before the End of the same month at the Camp whereever the
Troops shall happen to be between Wills Creek & the River
Monongahela at 17/ p cent (the fifth Quarter according to the
custom of the Country) on condition you would agree to ad-
vance him ^300 in the Beginning of march. Capt Steven says
that he believes your Honour ordered him to mention this to
me that I might write my opinion thereon, that you will be
pleased to recollect I acquainted you with w" I had the Satis-
faction of seeing you & still think the proposal an acceptable
one if the man could give good Security for his performance,
but I make no doubt by y' Honour has eer this advised w'*" the
General thereon & given Directions accordingly. I hope our p- 64
Assembly will think of returning home the End of this & then
I propose & hope I shall be able to be in Virginia the begin-
ning of the ensuing week.

I am

[Sharpe (to William Sharpe ?)]

Since my Appointment to the Command of the American
Forces I do'nt doubt but every Body on your Side the
Atlantick have been in constant Expectations of hearing of
some Exploit in America in Consequence of his Majesty's
honouring me with such a Commission. On the first Receipt
of it tho the winter was then unhappily just approaching I was
not absolutely without hopes myself of being enabled to satisfy
in some measure my Friends Wishes for my Success & pros-
perity when I was in Virg' I proposed to Gov' Dinwiddie to
raise 700 Men immediately & with them & the Independant
Companies to have made an Attempt on the Fort that the
Enemy had raised at the Mouth of the Monongahela, but
whatever were my wishes at that time I was soon convinced of
their Vanity when I arrived at Will's Creek, there I learnt that
the Number of the French at their Fort exceeded 600 beside
several Parties of Indians who were at their Devotion & sub-
mitted to their Command. The Fort tho small was rendered
pretty defensible by a Ditch & two Out works before the Cur-
tains that faced the Land on the Side of the Rivers it was
surrounded with Stoccadoes or Palisades & the Garrison had
laid in a sufficient Stock of Provision for at least the whole
winter.

The Troops that I must have commanded were three Inde-
pendant Companies that did not in the least answer the Expec-
tations I had entertained of them, the Remains of the Virg*
Forces amounted to about 1 20 discontented unruly & mutinous;
the Maryland Company was at that time incompleat &

174 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. undicipllned but I may without vanity declare they were equal
P- ^5 to any there. The Officers who bore his Majesty's Commis-
sion would not deign to rank with those who served under his
Governor's Commissions ; in vain were my Attempts to per-
suade them to agree tho I proposed the same Scheme which I
find is now come with a Sanction from home. Such Jealousies
& Enmities subsisted between the Officers of the Carolina
Independants & the Virg" Regiment that their Meeting would
have been attended with innumerable Mischiefs & Confusion,
perhaps the greater the Number of such Troops as these the
greater had been the Danger of a Miscarriage had I ventured
to make an Attempt — You can easily guess that I did not
entertain very sanguine hopes after this my Visit to the Camp
I had writ to the several Colonies for Supplies but received
scarcely hopes of Assistance from any other & but very little
from my own Govern' The Levies went on very slowly,
what a figure the Virginia Recruits even at this time make you
will know I doubt not without a hint from me: To have
attempted anything & failed of Success must have been
attended with the entire Loss of such Indians as have hitherto
seemed or appeared to be in our Interest, in these Circum-
stances what could be done beside giving necessary Orders to
protect our Frontiers till the Arrival of the Troops from Europe
(which Letters had by this time bid us expect) should make
things put on a better face, that nothing however might be
wanting on my part to shew my Duty to His Majesty & pro-
mote the Service of these Colonies I again met our Assembly
but the same Cause as had before again disappointed my
Wishes — His Majesty's & the Proprietary's Interest & Instruc-
tions must be made to clash & no money is to be raised unless
his Lordship's private Claims be made submit to the Demands
& Caprice of an infatuated Assembly. I have met them once
p. 66 more on the same Account but fear the Issue of this will be too
similar to that of the last Session. Had the Capt. of the Vessel
who conveys you this given me a Day or two's Notice I should
have been glad to have given you a more minute & particular
Detail of these late Transactions but it being otherwise I must
at present content myself with acquainting you that S' John S'
Clair found me the latter End of January at the Camp for w*
place he departed soon after his Arrival in Virg" from thence
I accompanied him back to Williamsburg (giving Directions
for Si engaging Quarters for the expected Regiments in our
way) where we hoped to see General Braddock by that time
arrived, but being disappointed in that particular & having
appointed our Assembly to meet the 20''' of feb^' I could not
postpone my Return to Annapolis to have the pleasure of
paying my Respects in person to the General at his Arrival.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 175

Instead of that I left a Letter for him with M' Dinwiddie Letter Bk.
& have since had the Satisfaction to receive one from himself
in which he is pleased to compliment me on the Care I had
taken to put matters in forwardness & get provisions laid in
against the Troop's Arrival who are daily expected. Governor
Dinwiddie also informs me that he has sent an Express to the
Northward with Dispatches from the General desiring Governor
Shirly will meet him at my house to concert their plan of
Operation. I shall be advised what time the General will
appoint such an Interview & I propose to meet him in Virg" &
conduct him hither & hope by my Behaviour to give him per-
fect Satisfaction — I am extremely obliged to you for the Care
& Affection you always have had & still continue to have for
me. The General has not as yet communicated to me any
Command that I am to have, nor is there any unless the
Rangers consisting of 8 Companies of 53 Men each which my
Commission as L' Col° will entitle me to, however, no p. 67
Punctlllio shall prevent my obeying any Orders he shall be
pleased to signify if the least consistent with the Station that I
now bear. It gives me no small concern to find that out of
three or four Letters sent you only one has come to hand &
you may assure yourself that I will never give Occasion for
more Complaints on that head. I have taken an Opportunity
of assuring M' Brown of my Intentions to serve him as soon as
it be put in my power by some better Ecclesiastical preferment
becoming vacant that will suit him for he will not exchange his
present preferment for many that may become vacant. M"
Razer I have seen & treated him kindly he has taken up his
Residence in Pensilvania but I will mention him to Gov' Morris
in my first Letter & shall be glad to shew him all the Civility
in my power. I acquainted M' Thomas with the Contents of
your Letter & he was well satisfied when I assured him that
tho I could not as his Father also thinks propose him to my
Lord as a Councillor yet I would embrace the first Occasion of
serving him, but I must note to you that I have disposed of
only one place since my Arrival the Value of that about /50
St^ p Ann. & the numerous Recommendations from his Ldp
& M' Calvert will I am apprehensive leave but few Places to
my Disposal,

[Sharpe to Calvert.] Letter Bk. i.

p. 106
12"' March [1755] transmitted by Capt. M'^Gahen

Sir

Your Favour of the lo"' Dec"" together w"" his Ldp's Instruc-
tions I had the Satisfaction to receive a week since by Capt

176 Correspondence of Governor Skarpe.

Letter Bk. I. Spcncer as the Assembly was then sitting I immediately obeyed
His Ldp's Instructions by acquainting them that His Ldp had
been pleased to Dissent to the Act for im powering the several
Courts within this province to order Commissions for the
Examination of Witnesses residing beyond Sea, & that con-
cerning Turkey point prayed for by Cotterel I also intimated
to them by the same Message that the Inspection Law w"* meet
with the same fate unless they W proceed to repeal the Clauses
p. 107 w'^'' respect the Limitation of Officers fees & the Regulation
of Coin. A Bill I learn is preparing in the Lower House
to re-enact (as his Ldps pleasure is) that part of the first
above mentioned Laws w'='' regards the Foreclosure of Mort-
gages; but I despair of seeing them prevailed on to repeal
any part of the Inspection Law on any account whatever, in
that Case the Gent" of the Upper House propose to Address
His Ldp to let the law continue in force in its present form &
to set forth the several Reasons that induced them to concur
with the Lower House in passing it, for my own part as I have
already offered such Reasons as occurred to me in favour of
the Law I will not presume to enlarge again thereon but will
only hope that His Ldp will excuse my consenting thereto
after His Ldp's Council & all that I consulted or conversed
with were unanimous in favour of the Clauses against w'''' the
principal Objections lye so infatuated was the Majority of the
House of Burgesses as to think the Law as far as it respects
Tob° evil in itself, & therefore were disposed to crush it, but
to prevent the general Confusion & uneasiness that W^ attend
the sinking of a Law which regulated Officers fees they agreed
to pass it with some few Alterations from the former Law &
the Addition of the Clause relating to the Valuation of Coin.
That these Articles would be receded from, the Upper House
found there was no room to hope & therefore consented to the
Law as it is, for the Reasons that I have before hinted & which
I apprehend they will offer more at large in the Address that
they intend to present to His Ldp thereon. There certainly
ought (as you observe) to have been farther acknowledgments
made to His Ldp but there being none in the Inspection Law
that expired at that time twas vain then to insist on the Inser-
tion of such Clauses or periods in this Act. The Example
also of the former will I hope plead my excuse for permitting
any paragraph concerning Officers fees to be made a part of
the present Act ; beside in Alleviation of that seeming impro-
p. 108 priety you will please to consider that the Regulation of
Officers fees must in some Sort be determined by the Inspection
Law because on that Law depends the Worth & Value of
Tob° in which Fees have been always payable. I before con-
sulted the Lawyers here & asked their Opinion whether & how

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 177

far the Law was repugnant to the Statute of Queen Ann, Letter Bk.
their Sentiments & my own at that time I have already taken
the Liberty to communicate, & for their parts they will not yet
be persuaded to entertain a contrary Opinion, As I did some
time since write, how, wherefore, & how much, the Law has
affected the paper Currency I would not presume to reply after
His Ldp has considered & taken Advice on the Affair, but I
hope you will pardon me for taking some notice of that part
of your Letter which expresses your Apprehensions least the
Neighbouring provinces should advantage themselves of such a
Regulation or Valuation of Coin among us. Were we indeed
to borrow of those Provinces your fears would not be without
foundation but I will assure you & am confident that is by no
means the Case with Maryland at present; did our Circum-
stances incline us or oblige us to become Borrowers, Virginia
has not money to lend, that Colony on the contrary is in
extreme want of Cash & I am credibly informed that scarce a
month passes but Virginians come to Maryland for Gold &
Silver & leave their Bonds & Land Deeds in the Custody of
His Ldps Tenants. \\\ Pensilvania Gold & Silver passes as it
is valued in our Law, the Trade of that province being very
considerable requires a good deal of Circulating Cash & indeed
the want they feel of more Money among them is the Reason
they are so importunate for leave to strike more paper it seems
to be universally agreed here that the Regulation of the Tob°
Law gives us an advantage with respect to that Province & tho
some of our Bills of Excha are carried thither for Gold & Silver
I am convinced we must be the only Gainers by such an Inter-
course & Communication. His Ldps Instructions concerning
any future Act to regulate Ordinaries shall be most punctually
obeyed as shall His Ldps pleasure signified with respect to the
Lands on Nanticoke as soon as I can see Col° Lloyd whom I
expect in Town within a day or two & I will then advise with p. ,09
him concerning some other Articles that you have been pleased
to notice in your Lett' as well as his Ldps Instructions. You
will I hope believe & assure his Ldp that no pains &
Endeavours have been wanting on my part to procure a
speedy Completion & Transmission of the Rent Rolls in
Obedience to his Ldps repeated Instructions & I promise you
I will not let the proper Officers have any Rest or Quiet till
they have performed that Duty. M' Goldsborough arrived in
Town last night & this Day according to his Ldps Appoint-
ment took his place as one of His Ldp's Council, & I flatter
myself His Ldp will never have Cause to be displeased at my
Recommendation. As His Ldp desires' I will mention some
other Gentlemen that I esteem most worthy of the same
honour, beside M' Dulany who was thrown out of the Assembly

178 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

.1. at the late Election & M' Tilgman whom I before mentioned
I take the Liberty to mention Col° Rob' Jenkins Henry & M'
Philip Key, the first is Judge of Assize on the Eastern Shore He
has always manifested himself a firm Friend to the Gov" & the
Ld proprietary's Interest during a great many years that he has
represented Somerset C'^' in Assembly the other Gent" too
has approved himself a constant Supporter of the Govern'
many years in the Lower House but miscarried also in the late
Election because it seems he was not sanguine enough against
the Roman Catholicks in some of the late Sessions, M' Rosse
I will present to Morrow to All Hallows Parish in Worcester
C'y according to His Ldp's Instruction & as Colonel Tasker
has declined accepting the proposal that His Ldp was pleased
to order me to make to him concerning the Half of the Land
Office in lieu of his present place I shall comply with His
Ldp's Instruction by ordering a Joint Commission to M"'
Calvert & Doctor Steuart as Judges of the Land Office, & as
Doctor Steuart is Commissioner of the Loan Office I shall
engage him as I have intimated to M' Calvert to make an
extraordinary Allowance towards the present that His Ldp is

[10 pleased to order M' Wogan annually from that Office. I have
delivered your Letter to M' Darnall & acquainted him with
the proposition His Lordsp was pleased to order me to make
to him. As His Friends had before advised him that I had
Orders to Commission him to the Naval Office of Potuxent on
Colonel Platers Removal he came to Annapolis with such
Expectation, but as Col° Plater has desired some time to inspect
the Secretary's Office & consider of the proposal that I made
him by his Ldps Instructions & yours to succeed M' Jennings
& that I would not immediately appoint him a Successor in
the Naval Office of Potuxent on which River His House &
plantation are situate, I could not satisfy M' Darnalls Expec-
tations in that respect & he was averse to resigning the post
of Attorney Gen' till He could be otherways better provided
for. In a Letter that I did myself the honour to write to you
in Sepf last I acquainted you that the Mannour known by the
Appellation of Lady Baltimores manner lay under particular
Circumstances what induces me to mention that Matter again
is that I find myself unable to comply with His Ldps Requisition
by transmitting a compleat Collection of platts or Draughts of
His Ldps several Mannours till I receive particular Directions
with respect to that Mannour I have inclosed a platt of one
of the mannours in Somerset C'^ which is not & never was in
the Land Records or elsewhere distinguished by any name.

His Ldp will be pleased to signify by what Title it shall be
called & it shall be entered in the Book that I shall transmit I
hope before the End of the Summer. You will be pleased to

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 179

remember that about the time that M' Ogle died, A Cause Letter Bk.
came on to be heard before the provincial Court in which a
Son of M' Thomas was plantiff & the Vestry of S' Mary Ann
Parish in Caecil Cty Defendant. The Matter disputed was
the Right of the Vestry to 100 Acres of Land part of Talbot
Mannour which the Defendants contended they held under the p- '"
persons who purchased it of that Talbot who was convicted in
Virginia for a Murder committed on board one of his Majesty's
Ships in Potuxent River. The Provincial Court did not enter
much into the Merits of the Cause but gave their Judgment
that the Supreme Court of Virginia could not properly take
Cognizance of a Crime committed in this province therefore
that the conviction was illegal & that the Copy of the Record
of the Conviction ought not to be Evidence in this Gov' This
Judgment of the provincial Court might have been attended
with ill Consequences with respect to his Ldps Title to the
whole Mannour. therefore M' Thomas & the Agent not being
of opinion that the Court ought to have regarded or deter-
mined on that point desired to be heard against the Judgment
in the Court of Appeals, which Court on a Hearing about 1 3
weeks since did reverse the Judgment of the Provincial for the
Reasons offered by the Appellent. The Action brought by
M' Thomas was to recover 100 Acres of Land that the Vestry
holds & claims. M"^ Thomas had taken a Lease of the Agent
under His Ldp & was to have enjoyed it had a Verdict been
given in his favour. There are about 500 Acres more of the
mannour under the same or similar Circumstances which are
claimed by one M' Baker a Burgess under Deeds of Sale &c
from sundry persons who had purchased under the Heirs or
Executors of that Talbot the Father. The Judgment of the
provincial Court being reversed M' Thomas is at Liberty to
insist on a new Hearing before that Court but his fears lest the
Issue of a Tryal should affect his Ldps Title incline him to drop
his pretensions especially as the Vestry & M"^ Baker are willing
to remove all Occasion for future Disputes by consenting to
Lease the Land they respectively claim if His Ldp will grant
them Leases renewable for ever on the same terms that the
Rest of the Mannour is leased. The other parts of the Man-
nour that lye south of the Temporary Line were I am informed
leased by his late Ldps Order to avoid Disputes with such as
were in possession who w"^ else have contested His Ldps Title, p. 112
The Leases renewable every 99 years on payment of a small
Fine two fines payable on every Alienation & a small Quit
Rent reserved. Col° Lloyd & M' Tasker are of Opinion with
me that if His Ldp be so pleased the Propositions of M' Baker
& the Vestry should be received. You will be pleased to sub-
mit this to his Ldp & direct what shall be done & also whether

i8o Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. M' Thomas's hopes should be answered vv"' some Recompence
for the Expence he has been at in supporting his Action &
thereby His Ldps Title — I am sorry the Laws are not yet tran-
scribed because it gives you some uneasiness. You must be
sensible it required no small Labour or short time to examine
all the Records since the year 1 704 (when a general repealing
Law passed) & to be careful to reject all the Laws which had
been repealed by subsequent Acts. This I undertook to do
myself & having accurately gone thro the Records & noted the
Titles of such as remain in force I delivered my notes to
the Copyists who are now transcribing without Relaxation & I
hope my Care in this Affair when I transmit the Laws in two
or 3 Volumes will meet with His Ldps & Your Approbation.
You are pleased in your favour by M' Rosse to recommend
M' Nichols to the Sheveralty of Queen Ann C'^, about 4
months ago I commissioned one M' Hopper a Gent" who had
behaved very well in the Assembly & was earnestly recom-
mended to that Office but I have entered M' Nichols in my
Mem" Book as his next Successor. I have inclosed my speech
to both Houses at the Opening of this Session also their
respective Addresses in Answer & my Replies. The Lower
House proceeded to vote the Sum of _^ 10,000. for the Service,
to be raised much after the same manner as the ^7000. was
proposed to be by the Bill printed in the last Journal of the
Lower House proceedings, the Bill was returned them with
a Negative & Reasons for the Upper Houses's Refusal, I
learn the House of Delegates have resolved to send it up
again with Answers to those Reasons & Arguments to support
the Bill, this is all that has yet been done & I am indeed
apprehensive that the Issue of this will not be very unlike that
of the late Session. As the short Notice that was given me of
this Ships being about to sail has not afforded me time to be
so prolix as I could have wished I hope you will excuse me for
not repeating to you what I have taken die Liberty to write to
his Ldp concerning the Military Affairs & Occurrences that
have happened since my last which you would not think perhaps
very interesting or important had I given a Detail of them.
Something on that Subject you may expect in my next in the
Interim you will believe that I am with the greatest Respect
Y"^ most obliged &c.

p. 376 [Sharpe to Calvert.]

March the 12"' 1755.
Sir

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of Y'
favour dated the 1 2''' of December, for the Confidence you

Correspo7idence of Governor Sliarpe. i8i

vouchsafe to put in me be pleased to accept my grateful thanks Letter Bk.
& rest assured that I will by the most exact & punctual Com-
pliance with Your Expectations endeavour to approve myself
worthy of it. ■ Your Assurance to render my Administration as
easy as possible sensibly affects me & I beg leave to repeat on
my part the promise that I made my Lord that no views of
Interest, no prejudice no Affection or Friendships shall divest
me at any time from pursuing & advising whatever I think the
most likely means to promote his Ldp's Interest. This led me
to recommend M' Dulany M' Goldsborough & M' Tilghman to
His Ldp's favourable Notice, having never heard the least thing
objected to either of these Gendemen's Characters I was
persuaded they would not be disapproved of on that Acco' &
if you knew how unaccustomed or how averse the present
members (except perhaps M' Thomas) were to writing or
communicadng their thoughts to the lower House by Message
on any Occasion you would I am persuaded think with me
that it is highly requisite the vacancies in his Ldp's Council
should be supplied with Gent" of Abilities who have been used
to argue or write & would be capable of supporting his Ldp's
Rights & prerogatives whenever a Levelling House of
Burgesses should be inclined to attack them. You know Sir
that few People will choose to engage in a Dispute with those
whose superiour Capacity they are sensible of & have expe-
rienced this Consideration is an Inducement to my giving
Gentle" of Abilities the preference in my Recommendation of
Persons for His Ldp's Council, if such can be found dis-
tinguished at the same time for their Probity in their respective
Neighbourhoods, in case His Ldp should be unwilling to
advance either of the abovenamed Gent" I have also named
two others as you will please to observe in my other Letter.
Application you are pleased to tell me has been made in favour
of M' Cha Goldsborough & M"" Rich' Lloyd with the past Con-
duct of the first you are already acquainted & I must confess I
should be sorry to see him in the Station to which he Aspires
tho he should become less a favourer of popular measures
than he has hitherto been & I apprehend because I have heard
them intimate as much that such a preference would give
no small uneasiness to most of the other Members. Out of
Respect & Regard for Coll. Lloyd I have already commis-
sioned M' Rich'' Lloyd to be a provincial Magistrate but
I should be very glad he was not so earnestly recommended to
be of his Ldp's Council. As a Gentleman I esteem him but I p. 377
have before ventured to tell you that to be free from every
fault or to be a worthy man & good Companion is not in my
opinion suflficient at this time to recommend a Person to
a Seat at the Council Board. You seem to be of Opinion diat

i82 Correspondence of Governor Sharpc.

Letter lik. I. in Casc Coloncl Lloyd should go to England & leave the Care
& Administration of His Ldp's Affairs with his Brother it
would be proper he should be in the Council. I agree that it
might be expedient for his Ldp's Agent to have a place there
but I much question if Colonel Lloyd will resolve to take the
Voyage you mention & tho he should come to such a Resolu-
tion yet he would not I imagine tarry there long unless he has
a Desire of getting his Brother confirmed in his Offices here,
however tho I will not recommend M' Lloyd to supply either
of the present yet if he shall be appointed to transact His
Ldp's Business I would not oppose his Succession in case of
future Vacancies. Indeed I will never vehemently oppose any
Gent" who might be warmly recommended to His Ldp lest I
give Offence, neither will I very earnestly espouse any one whom
I may mention favourably, lest I give Suspicion of having any
particular prejudice or Attachment. I begin to see that the
Art of disposing of Places so as to avoid Offence is one of the
most difficult parts of Gov' & tis not without great Concern
that I see yourself rendered uneasy by many & contrary
Sollicitations. His Ldp too I am afraid will be troubled with
too many Applications on the same Acco' I communicated
his Ldp's Instructions with regard to the Land Office to
Colonel Tasker which (as M' Bladen intimated to you) he
declined, not esteeming a moiety of the Fees that accrue to
that Office equal to the Fees that he receives from that he now
enjoys, which he can execute by Deputy & from which he says
he receives about _;^200 Ster' a year clear of his Deputy's
Sallary : beside the Value of his present Office is certain & not
dependant on the fluctuating price of Tobacco. As M' Bordley
has been represented in an unfavourable Light to his Ldp
I decline espousing him as I think he deserves, at least as his
Behaviour since I have known him would incline me hoping
the time will come when he will appear in his Ldp's Sight as
meriting his mark of favour As M' Darnalls Correspondents
p. 378 or Friends had advised him (even before I had opened
my Letters) that I had his Ldp's Orders to appoint him to the
Naval Office of Potuxent I had little Room to suppose he
would resign on any other Consideration than receiving a
Commission for that Office. Was there an Opportunity of
giving him that place he must also continue Attorney Gen'
because no such Lawyer as I would recommend could afford
to act as His Ldp's Attorney for the present perquisites &
Fees of that Office. When I acquainted Colo. Plater with y'
Expectations from him in case he accepted y' kind Offer he
desired a Day or two to examine into the Profitts of the Secre-
tarys Office & then declared himself unwilling to accept it if he
must pay more than one fourth part of the Income. I am

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 183

a little doubtfull that he has been induced to return me such an Letter Bk. i.
Answer by some who being disappointed themselves have
persuaded him that it is not His Ldp's Desire or Expectation
that M' Jennings's Successor should make you a more reason-
able Return & Remittance than he did while he remained in
that post. Since the Receipt of y' kind Letter I cannot
divest myself of all suspicion that Collo Tasker dealt a
little unfairly with me some time since when he told me
in Answer to a hint that I dropt to him that he had made no
application at all for the Succession of the Secretary's Office.
I need not I presume intimate to you what he would expect
was His Ldp to appoint him to that place, that you will guess
& determine thereon as you shall think proper. You speak
in Your Lett"^ as if you had sent your Deputation to Col° Plater
but as I could not find any such Parchment or Paper among
the Letters I am apt to think it was not inclosed in the Box.
The best terms that I could bring him to consent to were as I
above observed to pay one fourth of all the Fees annually &
the like proportion of vv' money or Presents he should receive
on the nomination of County Clerks, such an Agreement I did
not conceive myself at Liberty to make & indeed I think that
he ought to have offered one third of the Profitts at least.
Upon this Acco' therefore I have declined commissioning him
till I can know Y' farther pleasure, but have engaged him to
let the Duty & Business of the Office be executed in the Interim
by the Clerk in his name & he continues to enjoy the Naval
Office till you & His Ldp shall be pleased to determine thereon, p. 379
He has he says examined into the Benefitts of the place
tendered him & finds they amounted in the year 1753 as he
has noted in the inclosed paper which he delivered me as it is,
in which you will please to observe he has valued Tob° at 10
Shillings p Cent. I had valued according to the Inspection
Law at 1 2' b"* I had estimated the Fees on an Average for
five years past he only for one, neither had I allowed for Cask
& Shrinkage as he has done ; indeed while the Fees are payable
in Tobacco these Offices may one Year be twice as valuable
as they are another, & if the Inspection Law drops there is
reason to fear they will be but very inconsiderable as the Fees
will always be paid in the very worst Tob° & the Marketts will
at the same time be much overstocked —

You are pleased to acquaint me that His Ldp desires
Recommendation from me of Personages from the Lower
House to be now & then preferred to be of his Council of State
& that it would be right for me to observe thereon in my pub-
lick Letters & that His Ldp also desires the members of the
Lower House or their Families may have share of his favours
as thereby their Virulency may be abated : I do not know how

184 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. to exprcss mysclf as to this in my publick Letters unless you
would be kind enough to give me some Opening by one of
yours but I will assure you that I am persuaded to countenance
the Virulent in the Lower House of Assembly or withdraw
them thence by giving them preferment will be like beheading
a Hydra where three Serpents Heads are fabled to have
immediately sprouted out in the place of one. M' Dulany was
an Assembly man when I recommended him first. M' Golds-
borough & M' Tilghman I thought more able & proper per-
sons to fill his Ldps Council than any among the destinguished
Burgesses ; Col° Henry is a Burgess & M' Key was one till
very lately, but His Ldp's favouring such Gent" will never gain
him the Love of that infatuated Collection or Society. Since
p- 380 I have had the honour of serving His Ldp in this Gov' I have
just as M' lennings left the Province appointed one County
Clerk on his Recommendation which it would have been hardly
decent in me to disregard as he had engaged his Promise
some time before. A Commissioner of the Loan Office dying
before M' Jennings left the Province His earnest Recom-
mendation also influenced me in the Disposal of that place,
Col° Lloyd His Ldp was pleased to appoint Rent Roll Keeper
of the Western Shore by his Instructions & M' Chamberlayne
on resigning the Naval Office of Pocomoke succeeds Col"
Lloyd in that of Oxford. The Naval Office of Pocomoke &
general Surveyor ship of the Eastern Shore is held for the
Benefit of M'' Graham, The Sheveralties of Kent & Queen
Ann Counties are filled with two Burgesses one on Col° Lloyds
Recommendation the other on M' Taskers ; the Sheveralty of
S' Marys is given at M"' Taskers Request, that of Ann Arundel
to one M' Raitt at His Ldp's Command. These beside the
Commissarys & Land Office are all that have as well as I
remember been vacant since my Arrival excepting the Farmers
places w'^'" have been filled where the old ones threw up by
such as we could persuade to undertake them. I know not
how I forgot to mention the Rent Roll Keepers in my List
returned they continue according to His Ldp's Instructions
Col° Lloyd for the Western Shore & M' Tilghman for the
Eastern, Col° Lloyd has promised to let me know what is
the annual value of the Offices he holds as soon as he has
setled his years Accounts & then I will acquaint you with Col°
Hammonds & M' Tilghmans Profitts also. I must declare in
favour of M' Thomas that I esteem him a Man of Ability & by
w' I can find his Conduct in the late Lds time has been repre-
sented in a much worse light than it deserved ; how his Ldp
will choose to shew him his Mark of Favour I leave to His
Ldps & your Determination. I do propose to oblige M' Han-
bury & serve M' Wolstenholme as soon as an Opportunity

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 185

offers, wherefore I would beg the favour of you to hear no Letter Bk. i.
Application for the Sheveralty of this County when it shall p-^^^
become vacant which will not be near these three years. To
succeed Doctor Steuart in the Loan Office would by no means
suit him as that requires the Commissioners to be almost con-
stanriy resident in Town & M"' VVolstenholme's Business often
calls him abroad. M' W" Thomas also lives in this County
which will I am afraid put it out of my Power to serve him for
some time. Time will not permit me to write to M' Hanbury
& acknowledge the Receipt of his Letter by M"^ Harrison till
the next Opportunity but you will very much oblige me by
presenting my Respects %l making my Excuse to him lest he
should otherwise think me negligent or forgetful. As His Ldp
was pleased to write in express Terms his Expectations that an
annual Present should be made M' Wogan by the Judges of
the Land Office I could not presume to propose any other
means, had there been a possibility of my securing any other
Office for that purpose as you was pleased to hint. Your
Desire in favour of M' Harrison on Acco' of his Alliance I
shall gladly comply with but as he also resides in this County
I am entirely at a loss by what means I can as yet do it. I
have taken this Opportunity of inclosing you Bills as hereto-
fore for your use & Disposal, tho I had no opportunity of
securing such a Sum as you desired for M" Hide when I made
former Remittances yet I was unwilling to delay what you
desired in respect to her, but I will with your Approbation repay
myself the three sums that I have now advanced out of the Fees
that have arisen in the Land Office since M' Youngs Decease,
& for the future out of any other Offices that may happen to
be similarly circumstanced. —

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

March 12''' 1755
My Ld

As I have writ fully to your Ldps Sec" on the provincial
Transactions & private Concerns in Answer to the Instructions
that I had a few Days since the Satisfaction to receive from
your Ldp I flatter myself I shall be excused for not being
troublesome or tedious by a particular Detail & Account in this
Letter of such matters as I have now communicated to M"'
Calvert to be submitted to your Ldp according to your Ldpg
Instrucdons. inclosed with M' Calverts last I had also the
pleasure to receive a Lett' which yourself had vouchsafed to
honour me with for that kind Testimony of your Ldps favour
I beg leave to make my most grateful Acknowledgments & at

1 86 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. the Same time to assure y'' Ldp that the Regard you are
pleased to shew for M' Wogan will make me see your Ldp's
Expectations with respect to him punctually complied with. —
A few Days after I did myself the honour to address a Letter
to your Ldp in Jan^" last I departed for the Camp at Wills
Creek to put in Execution what I then mentioned. After I
p. 114 had been there a week I had the pleasure to see S' J S' Clair
arrive also, after which we tarried there only one Day &
in Order to examine the Channel of that River we came down
Potowmack by water for the Distance of about 250 Miles, the
many Falls & Shoals in that River will we find render the con-
veyance of Artillery & other Stores to the Camp by water
impracticable, the 5"" Day from our leaving the Camp we
reached Alexandria or Belhaven a Town on the South Bank of
Potowmack just below the great Falls of that River having
purchased & secured all the Provisions & Forrage that was to
be gotten on each side the Water as we came down, staying
a Day at Belhaven we proceeded to Dumfries & Fredericks-
burg in Virginia providing & engaging Quarters for the
Troops in each of those places & from thence we journyed to
Williamsburg where we hoped to find General Braddock by
that time arrived. We have agreed to quarter 5 of the Com-
panies from Europe for a month or so to refresh themselves
after their Voyage if the General approves thereof, in your
Ldp's province, one Company at Marlbro, one at Bladensburg
a third at Rock Creek three Towns in Prince George O^ &
two at Frederick Town which stands on Monoceasy River in
Frederick C''' beside the Maryland Company which I have
before mentioned to your Ldp I had raised 80 more Recruits
in this Province but have reason to fear they will be so much
approved of that 150 from the Company & them will be
drafted into the English Regiments in that Case I shall form
two Companies each consisting of 50 Men in your Ldps Gov'
for the honour of the province even tho the Assembly should
determine to grant no farther Supplies.

I have rec^ a Lett' yesterday from Gen' Braddock dated at
Williamsburg where He arrived the 25"' Feb^ the Transports
with the Train of Artillery are also arrived in Virginia & the
Troops from Ireland are dayly expected Governor Dinwiddle
p. IIS also advises me that He has sent an Express to the Northw''
w"' Dispatches from the General desiring Governor Shirley
would as soon as possible give him a Meeting at Annapolis to
concert the plan of Opperations so that I expect to have the
pleasure of seeing those Gent" here in about a fortnight or 3
weeks I shall wait on the General at Alexandria as soon as I
hear of his Arrival to conduct him to Annapolis & your Ldp
will be pleased to think that I shall chearfully obey y' Ldp's

Correspondence of Governor Shaj'pe. 187

Commands by paying him all possible Respect during his Stay Letter lik. i.
here & on every other Occasion. I am with the greatest
Gratitude My Ld Y' Ldps mo obliged & mo devoted &c.

[Calvert to Sharpe.] Original,

S'

The pleasure you promised me in yo' of the 1 1"' of Dec' of
hearing from you on Affairs by Cap' Coolidge, who you men-
tion was to sail in a few days after, the satisfaction thereof I
have not by the same, the ship is arrived. The Complection of
matters between France & us gives great Apprehension of a
War, and as she often acts sudden without notice, I fear her
first onset on our Trade Ships.

The not hearing from M' Lloyd the Agent gives uneasyness,
who in his last Letter says, he had 3000^ Cash & shou'' have
Considerable more for my Lord due S' Mich' which he shou''
be Obliged to send in Specie, good Bills of Exch^" not being to
be had, therefore wou'' transmit it soon after Xmas of w'^'' I
have received no intelligence for Insurance.

Inclosed is yo' Broth' lohn's Letter concerning the Postpon-
ing the Maryland Salt Bill from being brought into Parliam'
this Sessions & will disclose the unavoidable reasons for the
same & lustify his Lord^ having done all he can to get it;
What turn it may take the next Sessions I can't Predict.

Yo' Intelligence of General Affairs abo' the French in
America is very acceptable to the administration here ; But I
know not how it is such Advices from you, also of yo' proceed-
ings in Maryland, are ReC* here by others some time e'r wee
have them from you.

Inclos'd is a pamphlet abo' Pensilvania, the author sets
forth the Artfull pecuniary pusalanimity of Quaker Goverment,
ag' the Fundamental Law of Nature that of Self preservation.

The Goverm' here go on Increasing their Naval Armament
& Compleating Regim'"* arriv'^ from Ireland, 'tis said at Brest
the French are doing the same.

With Esteem. Yo" sincerely

Ccecil' Calvert

London 17. March 1755.

All Officers in Town belonging to the Forces in Scotland &
Ireland are ordered to repair to their Regim" 'tis said there is
now ready between 40 & 50 ships of the Line. Informations
of several French Officers taken in Scoriand.

S'

having forgot to mention in my Letter I put this in as Pos'
M'^ Bladen having requested of my Lord for a Living on

i88 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Behalf of a Scotchman who is Clergyman & Married her
Woman My Lord desires you'l Present him with S' lohn's or
Christ Church, smal Livings Vacat'd in Queen Ann County it
will be proper of having some trial of him as Aprobation.

CC.
To Gov' Sharpe.

[St. Clair to Sharpe.]

Alexandria March the 28'*" 1755

I am just returned from my lourney from the Fort, where
I have greatly incurrd the Displeasure of the New York
Companys. As I am just going to take my leave of this place,
I have taken the liberty of sending my Servant to your Excelly
to request of you to send me the Horse, I shoud be very
sorry to ask any thing that woud put you to any Inconveniency,
all I shall say is that I shall look on it as a great obligation if
you will be so good as to spare him to me. I beg your Excel-
lency will be so good as to let me have the Box of Candles,
my servant will be able to bring it w' him, & if you have any
provision sent up towards the Camp it wou'd be of great Ser-
vice to me, and shall thankfully pay you the Cost of it. I have
the Honour of being with the greatest Respect

Your Excellencys
Most obedient and most

ps. All here are well & our humble Servant

Affairs have a good look, we shall John S' Clair

be moving soon, part by Frederick.
I have undertaken to cut the Road by Enochs

I am ordered by His Excelly to acquaint you that, he begs
you will send him an Express, when you hear that Gov' Shirley
is on the Road, that he may be at Anapolis at the same time.
I must beg of you that you will buy me at Anapolis, a Doz" of
Augurs & as many Carpenters Chissells as you can get. my
Servant will be able to bring some of them w' him

Adieu
His Excels Gov' Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p. IIS

lo"" of April transmitted by the way of Phi^

Sir

By an Express just going to Phil'' I put this Letter on Board
a Ship that is expected to sail from that Port in about 3 weeks
lest the Ship by which I purpose to send Packetts to His Ldp

Cor7'espondence of Governor Sharpe. 189

& yourself should not arrive at London so soon tho she is to Letter Bk. i.
sail hence before the Ship from Phila' I am sorry to acquaint
you that little regard has been paid by the Lower House to his
Ldp's Requisition concerning an Amendment of the Inspection
Law which I inforced by a Message as soon as I received his
Lordships Instructions with how great Concern must I advise
you also of the Issue of our last Session of Assembly which
concluded the 26"" of last Month. After a Month had been
spent in sending Messages from one House to the other (those
from the Gent" of the Upper House containing Objections to
the Bill offered for granting a Sum of Money for His Majesty's
Service & supporting those Objections, & those from the other
Gent" to inforce the Bill they had offered) the Upper House
put an End to the Dispute by rejecting the Bill absolutely
chiefly on Account of its farther Mortgaging & appropriating
the Ordinary Lycences, whereupon the Burgesses came to a
Resolution (which they would not be inclined by two Messages
to recede from) not to grant a Shilling by any other means p. ji6
then such as were similar to those proposed by the Bill which
was framed last Session. I have now prorogued them to July
next but cannot indeed entertain the least hopes of meeting
them with greater Success at that time. The Assembly of
Pensilvania are now sitting but the same Cause as before has
again made the Governor reject a Bill offered for ^25.000.
however we are told that they have resolved to give a Sum of
Money from their Treasury to buy some provisions for Gov-
ernor Shirleys & S' W" Pepperels Regiments as they did
before for those that are in Virginia under the Command of
General Braddock.

The Virg'' A.ssembly are to meet again in May but Gov'
Dinwiddie seems to entertain no very sanguine Expectations.

The second day after I had prorogued the Assembly I set off
for Alexandria where the Regiments were encamped to wait
on & pay my Respects to the General who came thither two
Days before, last Thursday the General, Governor Dinwiddie,
Comodore Kepple & two other Gentlemen came hither in
Expectation of meeting Gover' Shirley at this place but He not
arriving according to Appointment the General & Company
returned to Alexandria last Monday. Governor Shirley has
not yet reached Annapolis but I expect him & Gov' Morris to
Morrow & shall the next morning accompany them to Alex-
andria where the General proposes to tarry till the Middle or
End of next week whence he will proceed to Frederick Town
in his way with the Regiments to Wills Creek. With the
Generals Approbation all the Men that had been raised in this
Province are taken into the English Regiments except a Com-
pany of 53 which is still kept up for the honour of his Ldps

190 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter lik. I. province. Gover' Dinwiddle proposes to keep on foot 9 Com-
panies each consisting of the same Number but I am doubtful
he will be not a little streightened for Money to pay them not-
withstanding the ^ 1 0000 sent him from home in October with
Liberty to draw Bills for as much more — The frequent Mis-
carriages of Letters that are sent hence to England by the
p- "7 Way of Phila'' makes me decline writing very particularly by
this Vessel especially as I shall send a packett by that which is
about to sail from Potuxent

I am with the greatest Respect Sir./

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

1 9"^ April transmitted by Capt.
Sir

By my Letter of the lo"" Inst. I intimated to you what had
been the Issue & Result of our Assembly's last Meeting which
you will be more particularly acquainted with from a perusal
of the lournals of the proceedings of both Houses which I
herewith transmit together with a Copy of the Bill sent to the
Upper House under the Title of an Act for His Majesty's
Service. You will easily perceive that a great Majority of the
Delegates came with a fixed Resolution to grant no money but
after the manner that had been refused by the Upper House
the preceeding Session & from this Resolution I have little
hopes of seeing them recede when I meet them again which
the General & M' Shirley seem to insist on my doing next
Month at which time the respective Assemblies of Carolina's
Virg-^ & Pens'" will also be convened & once more sollicited &
importuned for Supplies. You will observe after what manner
the Lower House express themselves on the Ordinary Lycences
both in their Messages to the Upper House & their two
Addresses to me of which I proposed to take some notice to
them in the prorogueing Speech that I had prepared but the
Gent" of the Council thought it more adviseable for me to dis-
miss them without any Speech at all. Their Address in Answer
to my message on the Receipt of His Ldp's Instructions will
shew you with what Temper they received his Ldp's Deter-
mination concerning the Inspection Law which Obstinacy of
the Lower House put the Gent" of the Council on preparing
an Address to His Ldp relative to that Law which in Compli-
ance with their Request I have inclosed in my Lett' to his Ldp
but sd His Ldp remain still determined to dissent to the Act I
must beg the favour of you to send me particular Instructions
what sort of proclamation I must issue for regulating Officers
Fees & what Reward shall be ordained for each particular

Correspotidaice of Governor Sharpe. 191

Service. You may be pleased to observe in the proceedings Letter bu.i.
that on the Representation of M' Crabb an ignorant over- p- "^
bearing Inhabitant of Frederick County the House thought
proper to summon one M' Rawlins a Magistrate of the afore-
said County who unhappily for him lives near M' Crabb a
Member of Assembly & had not shewn him such Deference
as he perhaps expected. The pretended Reason for their pro-
ceeding to such Lengths with M' Rawlins & making him attend
their House almost during the whole Session to his great
Detriment & Expence You will see in the Report of the
Committee, & how unreasonable & unjust their proceedings
were thereon will in part appear from the Substance of the
papers on which my Message to them was founded. The
Justice might perhaps be no Lawyer or well acquainted with
such Learning as a Magistrate ought to be Master of but his
Life & Conduct never that I can find gave the least Room for
any Suspicion of his being unjust or partial & Men endowed
with the contrary of these two Qualities only must in this Young
Country be sometimes preferred to the Bench of Magistrates.
Many of the Lower House when they came to be acquainted
with & see into the whole Affair acknowledged themselves
sorry that they had been so ready to credit M' Crabbs Repre-
sentations but as they had proceeded to take the Matters
under their Consideration & to put the Magistrate to a great
Expence they did not think it would redound much to their
honour to drop the Affair entirely & therefore Addressed me
thereon hoping I should take no farther notice of the matter ;
but as the Conniving at such a proceedure would have sub-
jected all His Ldp's Magistrates & Justices to the Caprice or
humour of the Assembly & in fact made them dependant in
great measure on them (seeing the Lower House might easily
cook up pretences to summon any other Magistrates & put
them to similar Expences) I thought it not proper or for his
Ldp's Interest to pass over the Affair & their Address in
Silence, but communicated to them my Sentiments in an
Answer to their Address: as they begun to see the Levity of
their Accusation & could not attempt to justify their Behaviour
they resolved that some parts of my Message which bore hard
on them should not be printed or make a part of their pro-
ceedings as you will see by comparing the true Copy of my
Message with that entered in their lournal.

Lest His Ldp or you may be at all imposed on by the Report p- "9
of the Committee concerning Cresap's & the Recruiting
Officers Acco" I must first advise you that t'was absolutely
impossible for them to determine about the Justice or
Reasonableness of the several Charges that their Committee
have observed on from such general Accounts as were sub-

192 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

mitted to them : Cresap had bought & laid in a large Quantity
of Provision & many necessaries for the Troops by my Order,
some were paid for & others not, Vouchers for his Delivery
of these things to the Commissary of Stores who attends the
Troops could not be sent because the Commissary had not yet
received them, the Salt particularly which he charges Carriage
of from Bladensburg was bought by Doctor Ross at my Order,
whose bill not being sent in to the Assembly at that time they
suspected Cresap'sAcco" falsified where it really did not, indeed
I cannot as yet determine myself about Cresaps Conduct but
am apt to think that they will be glad to find him tripping if
they can because he has behaved himself on all Occasions as a
good Servant to the Gov' I cannot at this place help observing
to you that in the Bill which they had framed for regulating the
Rates of Carriages &c they had allowed the Owners of Wag-
gons 20 -p C' more for Carriage -p mile than Cresap against
whose Acco" they had been cavilling had actually charged. I
make no doubt but they will be also well satisfied with the
Officers Recruiting Acco"^ when they have them properly stated
& laid before them, as I observe the Enlisting 58 Men mostly
on the Eastern Shore bringing them over the Bay at 5/ a head
& conveying them to the place of Rendezvous at Frederick
on an Average cost for each about £1. 6 Curr^ only when the
sole Charges of recruiting on former Occasions amounted to
^5 for every Man. I cannot at present pretend to give my
Opinion on the Acco'^ more than the Committee ought to
have done but as I see their Report is entered in the written
Journal of the Lower House I could not but make a Remark
or two thereon, having inclosed to you the Bill framed for
His Majesty's Service & that to prevent the Importation of
Papists being entered in the Journal I have nothing farther to
observe thereon as the Titles of the Acts that were passed
distincdy declare what is the Substance of each Act & as none
of them are of a particular & extraordinary Nature & will be
transmitted under the great Seal by the first Opportunity. In
obedience to His Ldp's former Instructions I had ordered a very
exact Acco' of the Inhabitants of every Denomination in his
Ldp's Province to be taken by the respective Constables but I
cannot receive a Return from them before next August or
Sept' You will be pleased to recur to my Letter of the 1 2'''
of last August in which I submitted what occurred to me as
the most likely means for his Ldp to get Quit-Rent paid him
for such Surplus Lands as are at present held & enjoyed by
many persons under old patents for which His Ldp receives no
Acknowledgment ; Col° Lloyd tells me he has considered of
the proposal I then offered to you & says his Sentiments are
quite similar to my own thereon, & that he knows no way so

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 193

likely to obtain the End desired, of which I conceive he will Letter Bk.]
himself acquaint you. A few Days after I had obeyed his
Ldp's Instructions by issuing a Commission to M' Calvert &
Doctor Steuart as Joint ludges of the Land Office they both
came & presented me the inclosed Acco' of the Annual Income
of Fees to the Land Office which they assert is an exact Acco'
the Deductions therein made not more than actually happen
& are allowed, & the neat Tobacco valued at as high a Rate
as it will at present bear. I did not say any thing to their
Representation but only that I would inclose it when I writ to
you again which I now take the Liberty to do. I have
acquainted His Ldp very particularly what the General is
doing & about to execute this Summer : As his Ldp will
acquaint you with those Affairs I hope to be excused for not
writing particularly thereon to you at present which you will
be kind enough to attribute to the short time that I could call
my own lately & to my being obliged to depart this After-
noon to wait on the General at Frederickton next Tuesday
Evening

I am with the greatest Respect.

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

April i9*-[i755]
MyLd

I am sorry to be obliged to acquaint your Ldp how averse
the House of Burgesses have shewn themselves to making any
Amendments in the Inspection Law in Obedience to your Ldps
Request & Requisition, of which I advised them as soon as I
had the honour to receive your Ldp's Instruction upon my
communicating to the Gent" of the Council the Address of the
Lower House in answer to my message they told me that the
Obstinacy of the Delegates in that matter would determine
them to prepare an Address to your Ldp which they hoped I
would not refuse to present, & tho I w'' not presume to urge
any thing myself after your Ldp has signified your pleasure &
Determination concerning that Law yet I thought myself
obliged to comply with their Desire by transmitting the
inclosed in a Letter to your Ldp. The proceedings of both
Houses & the Consequence & Issue of their Meeting with
respect to the Business & Service on w='' they were convened
your Ldp will learn from the lournals now sent to be submitted
to your Ldp & I should receive the greatest Satisfaction from
knowing that your Ldp does not disapprove of the part which
I have acted therein. The Letter that I did myself the honour
to write the i a"" of March informed your Ldp that General

194 Correspondence of Goveriior Sharpe.

Letter Bk.ji. Braddoclc was then arrived together with the Train of Artillery.
I can now acquaint your Ldp that the Regiments too mustering
about 500 Men each were the 28"" of that Month all disem-
barked in good health & Spirits at Alexandria where they
received the Generals Orders to Encamp till enough Drafts
from the Maryland & Virg" Companies & Recruits could join
& compleat them to near 700 each, since his Arrival the Gen-
eral has received Instructions to have those Regiments increased
to 1000 each for which purpose Officers & parties of Men have
been ordered into each part of this Province as well as Pens'" &
Virg'' to recruit. The second Day after proroguing the
Assembly I waited on & paid my Respects to General Brad-
dock at Alexandria & the Tuesday following the General Com-
modore Kepple Gov' Dinwiddle & the General's Aid de Camp
& Secretary came hither in Expectation of meeting Governors
Shirley Delancey & Morris at this place but they not arriving
p. 122 according to Appointment the General & Company returned
to Alexandria the Monday following & gave Orders for the
Troops to march Colo: Dunbar's on this Side & Col° Halketts
on the other Side Potowmack towards Wills-Creek ; & I
expect that e'er this the Regiments are Encamped at Freder-
ickton on Monoccasy & at Winchester in Virg^ respectively
& the Train of Artillery is also on the Road thro Virginia to
Wills-Creek. Of the 1 80 Men that I had raised only 60 are
left (the rest being Drafted into the Regiments) which compose
one Company from this Province & the Virginia Troops are
formed into 9 Companies of the same number to be disposed
of & employed as General Braddock shall think proper ; at
present two Virg=" & the Maryland Company are engaged in
opening a Road to Wills-Creek & thence towards Juniata
River in Pensilv'' which Hows into Susquehanna. Two of the
Independant Companies will I believe remain at Wills Creek
during the Campaign & the third will march to the westward
with the other Forces. The three Governors above mentioned
from the Northward came hither the ii"" & 12"' Inst, & this
Day Sennight I proceeded with them to Alexandria, which
place we left again Thursday morning & they are now on their
way returning to their respective Govern" General Braddock
departs from Alexandria to Day & I have promised to be with
him next Tuesday Evening at Frederickton where I shall tarry
till the i^' of May when all the Troops will be in Motion & he
will proceed to Wills Creek & thence without any Stop or
Delay for the Ohio. The General & M*^ Shirley seem to
expect & insist on the Assemblies of your Ldp's Province
Pens'* Virg'' & the two Carolina's being once more summoned
on the same Business that has been lately so earnesdy recom-
mended to them ; Governor Dinwiddle intends to shew his

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 195

ready Compliance by meeting the Virg^ Assembly the i" of Letter Bk.i.
May, Cover'' Morris his the lo"' Cover'' Dobbs & Clen will
also follow the Example, & I propose to take the Advise
of your Ldp's Council thereon next Monday morning. The
plan of Operations proposed to be pursued I take the Liberty
to inclose to your Ldp & also a Copy of some Minutes taken
at a Council which was held at Alexandria ; Some Sections
thereof will shew your Ldp the Opinions of the Gentlemen
present thereat ; to whom the Ceneral proposed several ques-
tions & desired their particular Sentiments thereon & Answers
thereto.

I apprehend the General (somewhat dissatisfied that no such p. 123
Fund is already established will sollicit the Ministry to obtain
an Act of Parliament whereby these several Colonies may be
compelled to contribute towards a general Fund or Stock their
several Quotas ; in case such an Act should be moved for it
might perhaps provide & ordain that the Quota imposed
on each province be proportionable to the number of their
Inhabitants respectively; but that it be left to the Assemblies
Option in what manner to raise that Quota & to prevent useless
Disputes & Controversies it might perhaps also direct that if
the several Branches of each Legislature do not concur about
Ways & Means within a certain time the Governor & Council
to proceed to Levy the Money in some particular way or after
any manner that may be deemed most ready & convenient what
the General's or the other Governors may determine to do or
write as to this matter I know not but I thought it my Duty to
hint to your Ldp what possibly may happen, as I shall always
do with respect to every thing worthy your Ldp's knowledge
that I may have the least Intimation of & at all times endeavour
to evince that with the highest Respect & Gratitude I am

[Sharpe to Robinson.] Letter bu. 11.

p. 68

I g"" April 1755
Right Honble

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
three several Letters dated the 31" of Decem"^ & 23"^ of lan^ &
at the same time to inform you that at my Return from the
Camp at Wills Creek in Feb'' I convened the Assembly of
this province & used my utmost Endeavours to obtain the Sup-
ply's required by your Letter of the 26"" of Ocf but with much
Concern must I now acquaint you that all my Endeavours
Recommendations & Importunities proved insufficient as I am
afraid they will continue to be tho I am determined by General
Braddocks Letters of Sollicitation to meet the Assembly of
this Province again next Month & urge them to pay due

196 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. II. Obedience to His Majesty's Expectations which he has
graciously signified to them by those Letters which I have had
the honour to receive from yourself. The Men that had been
raised in this province before the General's Arrival are received
into the English Regiments excepting a Company of 60 which
in Obedience to the Generals Desire I continue to support in
hopes the Assembly will at their next meeting be prevailed on
to grant Money for that if not other purposes. As I had the
pleasure of seeing S' In S' Clair arrive at the Camp not many
Days after I reached Wills Creek in Jan^' & towards the End
of last Month had the Satisfaction to hear of General Braddocks
safe Arrival with the European Troops in Virg" I had nothing
to do but make such necessary preparations for the Reception
of these Troops as the parcimonious Supply granted by our
p- 69 Assembly some time before had enabled me to make & as soon
as I possibly could I did myself the honour to wait on the Gen-
eral in Virg"" to pay him my Respects & make a Tender of my
Service. As I conceive His Excellency has himself advised
you in what Condition he found the Independant Companies
as well as the Provincial Troops & how matters were circum-
stanced at his Arrival Si what measures he has since taken I
cannot presume to write any thing on those particulars where-
fore I shall content myself with acquainting you that Governor
vShirley departed hence for N England this Morning after
having had an Interview with General Braddock at Alexandria
which place the General proposed also to leave this Day
& proceed to Frederick Town on this Side Potowmack where
I shall do myself the honour to wait on him next Tuesday &
with his permission attend him to Wills Creek for which place
the two Regiments will receive his Orders to march the end of
this Montli.

with the greatest Respect
I am, R' Honble S'

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.]

Annapolis April 19"' 1755.
D'Br'

As Time would not permit me to be so particular as I could
have wished in a Letter that I writ to you last month I will
endeavour to make up the Deficiency of that by the particu-
larity of this which will shew you what part I have acted since
the late Transactions of the French on this Continent have
engaged the Attention of our Mother Country. What Steps
Governor Dinwiddle took towards the End of the year 1753 on
being advertised that the French had setled at several places
on the Banks of the Ohio & the Streams thereinto flowing you

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 197

are acquainted with as much, as myself, wherefore my Account Letter Bk. 11
shall commence in lanuary 1754 at which time the Assembly P' ^°
of Virg'' were prevailed on to grant ^loooo Curr'^y toward
defending their Frontiers against the Enemy who had lately
invaded them, at the same time I thought it my Duty to con-
vene the Assembly of this Province & sollicit their Assistance
& Aid for the Virginians who at that time talked of pro-
ceeding immediately to Action : Fruitless was my first Attempt
& I was necessitated to prorogue them without obtaining even
a small Sum for a present to the Indians unless on such Terms
as His Ldp's Instructions particularly forbad me to accept.
April lo'*" Cover' Dinwiddle writ me notice that in Obedience
to his Directions a Company consisting of about 80 Men com-
manded by one Capt. Trent was at that time employed at the
Forks of Monongahela in providing Materials & building a
Fort; that a Detachment of 150 Men were marched from
Alexandria under Lieut. Col° Washington toward the Fort
about to be erected & that the Residue of the Virg'' Troops
amounting to near the same number commanded by Col° Fry
would follow them the next week ; that he expected in a very
few Days the Independant Company round from So Carolina
& in a short time those two that were ordered to Virg" from
New York, near the End of the same month I received a
Letter from Col° Washington dated at Wills-Creek the 24"'
informing me that he was then at that place with a Detachment
of 150 Men & that he expected Col° Fry who was to have the
Chief Command would there join him with an equal Force in
a few Days, the same Letter also advised me that near 1000
French commanded by one Capt Contreceur had fallen down
from Venango (an Indian trading Town about 21 Miles SE of
Lake Erie & near the Head of the Ohio) & on the 17"" Inst had
summoned Ensign Ward, Capt Trent being from his post, to
surrender the small Fort that was building at the Mouth of p- 71
Monongahela River, which Summons it seems Ward without
firing a Shot or the least hesitation obeyed being terrified at
the Appearance of so numerous an Enemy while the Company
with him did not exceed 30 Men. He was permitted to retire
with all his Men, Arms Ammunition, Working Tools & Pro-
vision, to the English Inhabitants & the Enemy immediately
proceeded to erect a Fort with the Materials Trent had been
collecting & near the Spot on which he had begun to build.
In May I again met the Assembly of this province & repeated
my Sollicitations for Supplies to support the Virginians in the
Expedition they were undertaking but our people would not
as yet see things in their proper light & seemed to think the
Occasion of the present Dispute was who should possess
Lands the Lord knows where by the Determination of which

198 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Lk. II. they would reap no Benefit seeing the Lands were already
granted by his Majesty to the Ohio Company, this occasioned
another prorogation, only I must observe that I did with diffi-
culty obtain at this time ^500. as a present to the Indians who
were to meet Commissioners from the several Colonies in
July. The next Intelligence that I received was that while
Col° Washington was employing his Men in opening a Road
from Wills-Creek toward the Ohio a party of his Command
had on the 27"^ of May fallen in with a Detachment of about
30 Men from the French Fort on Ohio under the Command of
Ensign lumonville upon which a Skirmish ensued &Jumonville

with 7 or 8 of his Detachment was killed & the rest
(excepting 2 or 3) made prisoners & sent to the Governor of
Virg'' the first week in June Col° Fry fell from his horse
which occasioned his Death & thereupon Col° Washington
succeeded in the chief Command. The 9"" of luly a Lett'
was sent me by Col° Innes informing me that he had just
p. 72 reached Winchester in Virginia at the Head of the N Carolina
Troops consisting of 150 Men but that they were for want of
a Magazine in N Carolina unarmed & that he had also found
himself disappointed in his Expectations of having some Arms
sent him from Williamsburg to Winchester: On this Repre-
sentation & at his earnest Request I sent immediately to
Winchester 1 50 Stand of Arms for the use of the Companies
under his Command. About the middle of luly we received
the News of Col° Washington's Defeat on the 3*^ Inst by about
700 (as it now appears) of the French Troops that were sent
out (as soon as an account of lumonville's Misfortune reached
the french Fort) under the Command of Capt Villier & another
Commissioned Officer to attack the English Troops whereever
they could find them. Some Acco" of this unhappy Engage-
ment & the Dishonourable Capitulation that was the Conse-
quence of it you have long since seen ; I believe Washington
& the Officers under his Command when they received Intelli-
gence of the Enemy's Approach some Days before the Battle,
would have taken very different measures from w' they did if
there had been no Pique or Disagreement concerning Rank
between the Virginia Officers & those of the Independant
Companies commanded by Capt. Mackoy. On being informed
of the Enemy's near Approach they retired to a little useless
kind of Intrenchment in a Valey between two Eminences where
the Independant Company posted themselves in the Ditch the
Virginians being drawn up in Order within. The French came
in Sight about noon & immediately took possession of one of
the Eminences where every Soldier found a large Tree for his
Shelter from the fire of the English & placing himself behind
it fired away on the Troops beneath as fast as he could load.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 199

this continued some time & more than 30 of the English fell Letter Bk. 11.
thereby but towards Evening Capt Villier who commanded the
French finding that the Fire on the part of the French dimin- p. 73
ished & became less frequent began to suspect that their
Ammunition was near spent (for they had only a Handfull of
Ball each & powder in proportion distributed to them when
they were sent from the Fort) ordered a Parley to be beat, not
induced thereto as was asserted by the great Loss his Men
had suffered for on their side only one Cadet & 2 private
Soldiers had been killed, but their Officer being apprehensive
as I observed on Account of his Ammunition his provision of
Victuals being also inconsiderable & finding the Troops that
he commanded for the most part raw & undiciplined would
not be easily prevailed on to forsake their Trees & storm the
Intrenchment thought proper to offer Terms rather than run
any Risks not doubting but the English would in their
miserable situation & not sensible what were his fears &
Apprehensions gratefully accept any Conditions that he should
be pleased to offer in which Opinion he was not indeed at all
mistaken. The Day after signing the Capitulation M' Wash-
ington retreated with the English that survived to Wills-Creek
& shortly after descended to Alexandria a Town in Virg^
situate on the navigable water of Potowmack. The 17'^ of
July I once more met our Assembly & apprizing them of what
had happened pressed them to grant immediate Supplies for
the Service. The Consternation that Washington's Defeat had
occasioned inclined many of them to grant a Sum of Money at
this time in any manner that the Gov' should think proper but
some of the Leading Patriots as they stile themselves contrived
to insert some Clauses in the Bill which were by no means
agreeable & which it was scarcely consonant with his Ldp's
Instructions for me to pass; however I was prevailed on by
the Council to accept ;^6ooo on the Terms it was offered but
from some late Instructions That I have received I am a little
apprehensive the Substance of the Bill is not very acceptable p. 74
to his Ldp. What my Lord objects to are two Clauses which
appropriate the moneys arising from Lycencing Ordinaries &
Pedlars to the use of his Majesty on this Occasion. As M'
Calvert tells me he has taken Brother lohns Opinion with
respect to the property of the money arising from such Lycences
(which his Ldp claims by prerogative) I conceive I need not
be particular in acquainting you how those Matters which have
been long a Bone of Contention, are circumstanced presuming
that M' Calvert submitted to you the State of those contro-
verted articles which I find he had received from me when He
desired your Opinion thereon. When our Assembly had
granted the /6000 above mentioned I advised Gov' Dinwiddle

200 Correspo7idence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. thereof & the money being left to my Disposal desired his
Directions how it should be expended for His Majesty's Service
at the same time hinting to him the Expediency & necessity
of laying in a proper quantity of Provisions which had been
shamefully procured furnished & managed by his Commissary
M"^ Carlile in answer to my Letter he desired I would raise a
Company of loo Men with the utmost Expedition & send them
to join the Forces from N Carolina & Virg^" & the 3 Inde-
pendant Companies (which together would make a Body he
said of 1 100 Men) at Wills Creek in Sepf Accordingly I pro-
ceeded to form a Company cloath & accoutre them, having
ordered Col° Cresap who lives in Maryland about 15 Miles
from Wills Creek to purchase & instantly lay in at his house
on Acco' of this province provision of Meat & Flour enough
for at least 100 Men during a twelve month, which Orders of
mine were punctually obeyed. The Latter End of Sepf the
first Division of the Maryland Company marched for Wills-
Creek & the Officers received my urgent Orders to compleat
the Company with the utmost Dispatch & muster at Colo,
p- 75 Cresap's. At the same time I received a Letter from Col°
Washington at Alexandria wherein he acquainted me that he
was in hourly Expectation of Money & Orders from Gov"'
Dinwiddle to conduct the Virg^ Troops & join the Inde-
pendants who then rendezvoused at Wills Creek but before
many Days had elapsed I was informed by Gov' Dinwiddle
himself that he had just then been obliged to prorogue the
Assembly of that province because they would not grant a
Sum of Money for the Service in such a manner as he could
concur with, this Circumstance says he has made me give
over all thoughts of acting this Fall especially as the Virg"*
Troops by their Defeat Deaths & Desertions are now reduced
to 150 & the N Carolina Forces have all disbanded themselves
which was occasioned by a monstrous Management of them
from the Beginning. They raised ^12000 procla. Money. The
president of that Colony gave the private Men 3/ a Day &
the Officers in proportion so that their Money was wholly
expended before they joined the other Forces & w'' serve no
longer without assurance of the above pay under these great
Disappointments I determine to keep the few people we have
in pay & propose 100 of them to march to Wills Creek to join
the Independant Companies & to endeavour to secure a pass
over the Alegany Mountains by erecting a Fort & leaving a
sufficient number of Men therein with a proper Quantity of
provisions to facilitate our Operations next Spring which is all
I think possible to be done now. In October Governor Dobbs
arrived as I before informed you & while I was at Williams-
burg the Assembly of that Gov' granted ^20000 more for the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 201

Service which however will not be all raised till that time Letter Bk. 11.
twelvemonth. Gover' Dinwiddie had also received ^i 0000 from
England with Liberty to draw Bills for as much more out of
which he promised to remit all his Officers money immediately
to go Recruiting & flattered himself with hopes of being p. 76
able to Muster 500 or 600 Men in Virg* in a month or 6
weeks from that time. Upon my Return to Annapolis I
called a new Assembly to meet the 10"' of Decern' with
sanguine hopes of finding them well disposed to grant suffi-
cient Supplies & in the intervening time I paid a Visit to
the Independant Companies who were encamped & building
themselves a kind of Fort & Barracks at Wills-Creek.
On my way I called at Alexandria where the Virginians were
quartered & to my Concern found that a very trifling Sum of
Money had been sent thither of which 6 or 8 Officers were to
have a Dividend & disperse themselves into the Country to com-
pleat their respective Companies. Being well assured from
Experience that litde Success could be expected from their
Endeavours unless they were more liberally supplied with
Money I advanced them 98 pistoles & gave one of them
Liberty to draw on me for more money in proportion to his
Success which I expected Governor Dinwiddie would repay
me out of the Virg*^ Fund, how litde my first Visit to Wills
Creek encreased my hopes of being able to succeed in any
Attempt on the Enemy or to execute my Commission with any
Reputation I before hinted to you, scarce a Morsel of Pro-
vision was laid in but what I had ordered Cresap to provide,
indeed so great was the Scarcety of Flour at the Camp when
I arrived there that unless I had given Cresap Orders to
supply the Independant Companies from his Store they must
actually have deserted the Fort they had built in a Day or two
for want of Bread & I suppose you will not entertain a very
high Opinion of the Troops that I was to command when I tell
you that out of one of the Independant Companies only S'
lohn S' Clair on reveiwing them has discharged more than 40
as unfit for Service. At my Return I acquainted Governor
Dinwiddie with the State of those Affairs & desired him to
take some measures to recover if possible the publick Credit p- 77
which was sunk to the lowest Ebb, by the Inability or negli-
gence of the Chief Commissary of Stores & a parcel of Dirty
Fellows that being employed as his Deputies had contracted
Debts with the Country people for a thousand pounds &
upwards without making any payments. I also writ to the Com-
manding Officer of the Virg^ Troops to prepare to march on a
certain Day for the Camp where they may be employed in
building Store Houses & in any other Services, the 9''' of
Dec' I returned to Annapolis the Assembly mett the Day foL

202 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. 11. lowing & by their professions at the opening of the Session fed
me with hopes of large Supplies but when they came to the
point a Bill was brought in for ,^7.000 to raise which the
Ordinary Lycences were to be farther mortgaged & that His
Ldp's Instructions possitively forbad me to comply witli, so our
Assembly broke up without giving any more aids than the
several northern Colonies to whom I had on the Receipt of his
Majesty's Commission addressed myself for Assistance. About
this time we were informed by many Letters from England that
2 Regiments were ordered hither from Ireland to be under the
Command of a General Officer, that Transports sailed to Ire-
land to take them aboard in Novem. & that Ordnance Stores
were shipping at the Tower &~also some of the Train. This
Acco' vvas confirmed to me by Governor Dinwiddie the 2^ of
Ian>' & within a few Days I received a Letter from Sir Tho'
Robinson to the same purport, upon this I again set off for
the Camp to make some preparations for the Reception of the
British Troops at their Arrival in Case the General should
choose to march them thither to make an early Campaign ;
when I had been there about a week superintending that Busi-
ness I had the pleasure of seeing S' lohn S' Clair arrive on the
p. 78 same Errand & with the same Design we took our Leave of
the Camp the 2^ Day afterwards & giving the Commissaries
that Gover' Dinwiddie had now appointed proper Directions
for laying provision into the Stores that the Men were building
we proceeded down Potowmack about 200 Miles & then by
Land to Williamsburg in Expectation of meeting the General
by that time arrived, being disappointed in such Expectations
I was obliged to make the best of my way to Annapolis
(reveiwing & discharging many of the Virg^ Recruits in my
way) where I had appointed the Assembly to meet the 22^ of
March & once more repeated my Requisitions for farther Sup-
plies, the old Obstacle has again prevented my succeeding &
after sitting & disputing a m'onth about his Ldp's prerogative
tliey have given me evident Demonstrations that they never
will grant a Shilling without the Compulsion of an Act of
parliament unless the Ordinary Lycences be appropriated con-
trary to his Ldp's positive Instructions & Injunctions; they
now stand prorogued to luly, but the General will have the
several Governors of the Carolinas Virg^ Maryland & Pens^
meet their respective Assemblies again next Month in which I
shall imitate the other Gent" tho I entertain not the least hopes
of succeeding, as soon as I was released by the Assembly's
prorogation I waited on the General at Alexandria where the
two Regiments from Ireland were disembarked & encamped :
the 2i^ of this Inst April the General Commodore Kepple Gov-
ernor Dinwiddie & the General's Aid de Camp & Secretary

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 203

came to Annapolis where Governor Shirley had promised to Letter Bk. 11.
meet them to settle the plan of Operations for the Summer but
he not arriving at the time appointed the General & Company
returned again to Alexandria the Monday following & ordered
the Troops to march westward, Colo Halketts Regiment & the
Train thro Virg^ toward Wills-Creek & Col" Dunbar's on this
side potowmack River to the same place. The ii"" & 12""
Inst Governors Shirley, Delancey & Morris came hither & this p- 79
Day Sennight I accompanied them to the General at Alexan-
dria whence having agreed on the plan inclosed we returned
to Annapolis Thursday & those several Gent" are now on their
way to their respective Governt. General Braddock departs
from Alexandria to Day & I have promised to be with him
next Tuesday Evening at Frederickton which is 80 Miles west
of this place, there I shall tarry with him till the first of May
when all the Troops will be in motion & when he will proceed
to Wills-Creek & thence towards the Ohio I apprehend the
General (dissatisfied that no such fund is already established)
will sollicit the Ministry to obtain an Act of Parliament whereby
the several Colonies may be compelled to contribute towards a
general Fund or Stock their several quotas in case such an
Act should be moved for I cannot help wishing it might pro-
vide & ordain that the Quota imposed on each province be
proportionable to the number of their Inhabitants respectively,
& perhaps it might be left to the Assembly's Option in what
manner to raise that Quota, but then to prevent useless Dis-
putes & Controversies may not the several Governors &
Councils be impowered to levy the Quota of Money by a poll
Tax in case the several Branches of each Legislature cannot
concur about Ways & Means within a certain limitted time. I
should be very much obliged to you for intimating to me what
Step you think will be taken as to this Affair & in Case there
be a prospect of a Rupture between the two Crowns which we
are apt to think is not improbable, that you will send me early
Intelligence thereof, or of any other Occurrences the Knowl-
edge of which may be useful to &

You will observe in the minutes of the Council which the
General held at Alexandria that it was agreed that in case of the
Reduction of Fort Du Quesne whatever Garrison the General p. so
should think proper to leave there should be maintained & the
Expence of Additional Works which He should think necessary
to make there, should be defrayed by the Govern" of Virg^
Maryland & Pensilvania & that if the General should think it
necessary to build a Fort upon Lake Erie the Expence thereof
& garrisoning it should likewise be defrayed by those three
Govern'" these three Colonies being to be at the Expence of
supporting such two forts I conceive it will be thought proper

204 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. 11. to establish a Regiment in these Colonies to garrison them as
less than a Regiment will not be sufficient for that Service for
the Men will expect to be releived some times, in that Case I
hope your good Offices will procure me the Command thereof
as I have good reason to think neither of the other Governors
will be found my Opponents. —

[Sharpe to Braddock.]

May 7. 1755 — General Braddock
D' Gen'

As I have been most earnestly sollicited & importuned on
my Return home thro this place by one M' Lowndes (a person
whose Behaviour & Conduct on all Occasions make me very
desirous of serving him) to apply to your Excellency &
favourably represent his Case I beg leave to trouble you on his
Acco' & beg the Discharge of four Servants of his that were
enlisted by Lieut' Brereton just as he was leaving Rock Creek.
The petitioner has a Ship on the Stocks which these 4 Servants
were employed in building & fitting for Sea others of the same
Trade cannot be procured, whereby the Vessel must remain
unfinished & the Owner receive a prodigious Detriment unless
by my Intercession he can be favourably heard by your Excel-
lency & procure the Servant's Discharge I have ventured to
give him hopes of succeeding if he can procure as many young
& unexceptionable persons to serve & enlist in their Stead
this he is endeavouring to do & will I believe be able to
accomplish within four or five Days when I will take Care to
have them marched to Wills-Creek & shall think myself much
obliged if your Excellency will order them to be accepted &
the Servants dismissed, or if you please to order them to be
discharged immediately which will be doing a greater Kind-
ness. I will take on myself to replace them with an equal
number of able men as soon as I can possibly procure & send
them up. I have acquainted Capt Orme with the Servants
names one of whom is a Convict & as your Excellency intimated
an unwillingness to have any Convict Servants at all enlisted
into the Regiments I think myself obliged to advise you that
M' Brereton has also recruited four other Convicts at this
place named lames Tobin, Cornelius Newhouse, Nich' Stone
& W"" Beadle, which I believe their former Masters would be
glad to recover at the Expence of sending Recruits in their
Stead to Wills Creek if you should be pleased to order them
to be left there when the Troops march. Col° Cresap who
acts as a Magistrate in this province waits on you with this to
whom I have desired Capt Orme to communicate your Answer

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 205

if y' Excellency should be inclined to grant my Request I hope Letter Bk. 11.
he will have the Servants delivered to him that they may be
carefully sent hither.

With the greatest Respect & most fervent wishes
for your Success I am Y' Excellencys.

A Letter also was sent to the same purport to Cap' Orme

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.] p. 80

May 9"' 1755.
D^S^

I take this Opportunity of acquainting you that I left the
General Capt. Orme & Morris Col° Washington & M' Shirley
this Day Sen'net at Swerengen's Ferry on their way to Win-
chester I suppose they will reach Wills-Creek to morrow.
Col° Dunbar's Regiment marched from Frederickton the sg'**
of April, Col° Halketts & the Virg^" Companies had I hear left
Winchester some Days before there was a good Deal of
Difficulty in procuring a Sufficient number of Waggons to
carry the Stores that were sent up on this Side Potowmack p. si
but they are all at last at Conegogee whence they will be con-
veyed by Water to Wills-Creek. Inclosed is my Acco' against
you ; I have not heard any thing from the northward ; that you
have succeeded to your wishes with your Assembly, I am
desirous & impatient to hear, send me early Advice thereof &
oblige Your &''

[Extract of letter of Calvert to Sharpe.]

13" May 1755

The Cause you mention before the Provincial Court about
the time of M' Ogle's Death, the particulars I was not apprized
of M' Tasker who presided then under His Lordship's
Guardians as chief in the Government notifyed to me Claim-
ants to Talbot mannour which I understood were Heirs who
derived their Claim from M' Talbot the first Patentee. It is
plain there has been two Forfeitures of the Estate One by
Murder, the other by Treason, from the Latter you have a
Testification according to Law of Rebellion from the Commis-
sioners of forfeited Estates here, on which Rest His Lordship
fixes most proper his Right to the mannour of Talbot &
Estate. His Lordship has taken Consideration in relation
thereto stated from the Circumstance represented by you con-
tained in your Letter to me the 1 1"" of March last & is hereby
pleased to order & direct me to inform you that he does

2o6 Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe.

Letter Bk. II. accept of the proposition & Conditions for the lOO Acres of
Land to S' Mary Ann Parish in Caecil County, also of M'
Baker a Burgess like proposition & Condition to 500 Acres of
Land each in the mannour of Talbot on the same Terms that
the Rest of the Mannour is leased, you may order the same to
be carryed into Execution agreeable to the late Lord's Instruc-
tions concerning the same. His Lordship hopes the whole
Mannour is not concluded by Grants already made, it has been
represented to me 38000 Acres & that of the best Land in the
Province in its Situation & Goodness. The Instruction of the
late Lords for 99 years Term renewable for ever by Lease on
a small Fine, with two Fines payable on every Alienation &
one small Quit Rent is poor Conditions for such valuable
Land: therefore it is hoped the Remainder will yield some
Recompence for the Advantages others have got not quite
just but to avoid Contest tho of undoubted Right to My Lord.
As to M' Thomas's Pretensions for Satisfaction from My Lord
it would be right to represent it more particular, my Lord can
form no ludgment as represented —

By M'" Lloyd's Letter to me the Behaviour of M' Tilghman
Rent-Roil Keeper of the Eastern Shore is unpardonable, his
not issuing the Rent-Roll & Omission not signing the Debt
Books he delivers to the Farmers & Receivers whereby they
wanting such Requisites having such defective Books cannot
distrain or warrant for Rent due for want of sufficient Voucher
to offer to the magistrate to justify their Charge, this so My
Lord very justly resents, & orders me to acquaint you that you
do not fail on the Receipt of this the Dismission of all Employ-
ments he holds under him & that you do appoint another
proper person in his Stead ordering M' Lloyd agent to make
Mr Tilghman discharge render His Lordship a fair account.

Original. [Baltimore to Sharpe.]

London May 14''' 1755
Sir

I very much approve of your conduct in every thing and am
so well satisfied as to your Zeal & capacity for the service of
his Majesty & myself, that I am under much less uneasiness
from the neighbourhood of the enemy than I otherways shou'd
be, for I make no doubt that you will use your utmost
endeavours to fulfill his Majestys expectations in all things.

M' Calverts Letter to you will fully explain my intentions in
all my affaires, so that I have nothing farther to add, but that
I desire you will see the collection of my Revenue established
on the best footing, the completion of w''' as I have some time

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 207

expected I beg it may no longer be delayed; I am sir your
most sincere freind & well wisher

F Baltimore

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

May 22. 1755. Annapolis —
MyLd

In the last Letter that I did myself the honour to write to
your Ldp I intimated my Intention to wait on the General at
Frederickton & shew my Obedience to your Ldp's Requisition
by paying His Excellency all possible Respect during his Stay
in your Ldp's Province ; it being very difficult to get Waggons
enough to carry up the Stores & Baggage that were to be
conveyed to Wills Creek thro this Govern' The Regiment
could not march from Frederickton before the 29"' of April &
the General did not leave that place till the first of May when
I waited on him over Potowmack in the way to Winchester &
then took my Leave. I have received a Letter from the
Camp since the General & the Troops have been at Wills
Creek but it contained no Intelligence at all of the Number of
the Enemy at the Fort or any other thing of Importance. I
believe the Stores must be e'er this time all carried up & I
expect they will leave Wills-Creek & march Westward some
Day next week. I have not been advised by either of the
Governors how nearly the Corps forming in the northern
Gov'^ are compleated tho I hear the Levies go on briskly & I
expect to receive Letters informing me of their Success in
Nova Scotia every Day. the Assemblies of Virginia & Pensil-
vania are now sitting but I have not learnt what is likely to be
the Issue of their meeting — I am now to acquaint your Ldp
with the Decease of Colo. Plater a Member of your Ldp's
Council who had lately the honour to be distinguished by M'
Calvert's Commission to him as Secretary. By this Loss
another Seat becomes vacant in your Ldps Council, & your
Ldp will be also pleased to signify whom your Ldp approves
of as his Successor in the other Office. According to your
Ldps late Instructions M' Darnall enjoys the Naval Office of
Potuxent & M"^ Graham the Naval Office of Pocomoke & is also
Surveyor General of the Eastern Shore, but as M" Young Son of
the late Judge of the Land Office has married M" Graham for
whose Benefit M' Charles Graham by your Ldp's Command
held these Offices perhaps it may please your Ldp to order
the Commissions to M' Young himself which I submit to your
Ldp & am &c.

Letter Bk. I.
p. 123

2o8 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

r Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

22'' of May 1755 transmitted by Capt from Virginia.

Sir

More than a month since I had writ you an Account of the
Issue of the Assembly's meeting in February last as you will
perceive by the inclosed Letters but there having been a pro-
digious Drought ever since that time that prevented the
Planters preparing or packing their Tob° the Ships that should
have sailed so long ago are not yet dispatched which obliges
me to seize this Opportunity of Conveyance by the way of
Virg" I waited on the General from Frederickton to Potow-
mack where he crossed that River in the Road to Winchester
the 2^ of May, Colo: Dunbar's as well as Col° Halketts Regi-
ment had marched a few Days before for Wills-Creek. They
have met with a good Deal of Difficulty in getting the Stores
thither on Account of the Scarcety of Waggons in these parts,
p- 125 but that being now executed I expect the General will be
moving Westward some Day next week. The Corps under
his Command consists of more than 2000 Men viz the two
Regiments about 1330. Independant Companies 260. Virginians
about 350. Maryland Company 60. N Carolina 80. & the
Train. I apprehend a Company or so will be left as a Garri-
son at Wills Creek under the Command of Col° Innes & the
rest will proceed with the General, in less than a Month we
expect to hear news from that Quarter & before that time we
hope to be advised of some Successes in Nova Scotia. The
Assemblies of Virg^ & Pensilvania are now sitting I have not
learnt what they are likely to do, ours will meet again at the
Day to which they were prorogued tho I cannot flatter myself
with any hopes of Success. I shall transmit a Volume of the
Maryland Laws (which will be copied & examined) by a Ship
that must sail the lo"" of next Month. I am sorry to acquaint
you with the Decease of Col" Plater who died after a few Days
Illness last Saturday ; by this Accident another Seat becomes
vacant in his Ldp's Council & there will be a necessity of his
Ldp & your appointing some other Gentleman to succeed him
as your Deputy in the Province, as you are yourself already
acquainted with the names & Characters of many Gentlemen
of the Province I will not presume to mention or recommend
any Gentleman particularly to that Office. Your Favour
dated the 1 5'*" of Feb'*' I have received & will answer it more
particularly in my next you desire to know why M' Dulany is
not in the Lower House he tells me that finding twould be in
vain to stand the Poll for Frederick C'^ which he before repre-
sented he thought it best to decline it &c.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 209

[Sharpe to Calvert.] Letter

[May, 1755?] P-38'

As the Death of Coll Plater has again left a vacancy for a
Deputy Secretary I doubt not Applications will be renewed to
you for that Commission. I hope e'er this the Lett'" that Col°
Plater writ together with mine dated in March have reached
you. I have sounded Col° Tasker & find he would not be p- 382
willing to accept the Office on worse terms than Coll Plater
offered; finding that to be his Determination I took the Lib-
erty to sound M' Thomas on the same Affair who I find would
not be averse to making you a more reasonable & handsome
Consideration in case you should think proper to honour him
with a Commission to act as your Deputy here. He shewed me
a Lett' he received from you some time since which I beleive
makes him entertain some hopes of being distinguished with
some Mark of Favour. He is generally well esteemed & does
not want Abilities but having a very bad Constitution is a little
melancholly & frequently indisposed for a long time together
so as to be unable to come to Annapolis. He resides on
a Plantation near Arundel Mannour about 1 2 Miles from Town
& has a Family of Seven Children four of whom are married
& dispersed abroad thro the Province. In case I find there is
any Necessity for appointing a Deputy Secretary before I can
be favoured with your answer I shall nominate Doctor Steuart
who will officiate gratis & resign whenever I please. M'
Young who has married M"' Graham has been with me desiring
the Commissions for the Naval Office of Pocomoke & Survey-
orship General of the Eastern Shore may be made out to him
instead of M' Cha: Graham. I wait His Ldp's & Your Orders
for my Govern' as to that Matter. You were pleased a year
since to acquaint me that one M' Phil Young of Calvert
County had addressed himself to you for favour as his general
Character here did not recommend him much to my notice &
as I heard he had again made Interest enough to procure a
Ship, I took no farther notice thereof, but as you have been
pleased to favour him with a particular Recommendation for
Preferment I think myself obliged to intimate to you that he is
not much esteemed here, that having been formerly employed
in the Character of Master of a Ship he some how displeased
his Employers so that they discontinued him whereby he is
reduced it is Imagined to some Difficulties having little fortune p. 3S3
& knowing not how to employ himself: there being no place
vacant at present He can receive no Detriment from my Delay
till I receive your answer how I should provide for him which
I shall readily comply with as I shall take infinite pleasure In
doing with whatever Commands you shall be pleased to signify
to &c.

2 10 Correspondence of Governor Shai'pe.

[Braddock to Sharpe.]

As I propose soon to begin my march for Fort Du Quesne
I am desirous of adjusting every future contingency in such a
manner as to avoid any mistake or misunderstanding. If I
take the Fort in its present condition I shall make additions to
it as I shall judge necessary & shall leave the Guns Ammuni-
tion & Stores belonging to the Fort with a Garrison of Virginia
& Maryland forces But should they as I have reason to appre-
hend they should abandon & destroy the Fortification with its
Guns &c I will repair or construct some place of defence &
leave a Garrison as before But as to the Artillery ammunition
Stores Provisions &c they must be immediatly supply'd by the
Government of Virginia Maryland & Pensilvania seperatly or
Jointly according to the agreement made at Alexandria And
that I may not by delays in yours or the other Governments be
detain'd so long as to frustrate any other designs for this year
I must beg that you will have all these things in readiness to
be forwarded to the Fort escorted by your Militia A proper
quantity of Flower & Meal should be preparing as these in
every scituation must be requird & if care is not taken to send
these convoys the men must starve & his Majesty's Arms be
dishonour'd (should they prove successful) & the expences &
Trouble which his regard for the Colonies have engag'd him in
renderd useless. Some Indians lately arriv'd from the French
fort mention a bravado of the French & their Indians that they
propose when the troops are far advanc'd to fall upon this
back country & destroy the inhabitants Make what use or
give credit to this intelligence as you please However it may
not be amiss to take all possible precautions as I find imprac-
ticable to take my Chariot with me if you will send for it & the
Harness for the six Horses I shall be much oblig'd to you &
you will make use of it till I want it I shall be still more so as
I am sure it will be less damag'd by good usage than by lying
still it will also save you the trouble of sending for another
to England as it shall be at your service at your own price
when I leave this part of the World let your serv" take care
of the harness & have it oild if you dont use it I shall leave
directions to Coll: Innes to deliver Chariot Harness spare axle
trees & pole to your order I am

S'
Your most Obedient &
Most Humble Servant
E Braddock
Fort Cumberland
May 22" 1755.
Gov' Sharpe

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 2 1 1

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.] Letter Bk. 11.

p. 81
May 24'^ 1755.
D"^ Brother

In my last dated the 1 g'*" of April of which I have now sent
B' W" a Copy I acquainted you that I was about to depart for
Frederick to wait on the General & do any Services in my
power during his Stay there & thence accompany him to Virg*
It being very difficult to procure Waggons in this part of the
world to convey the Stores & Baggage The Regiment that was
at Frederickton could not move thence till the 29''' of April &
the General tarried behind till the first of May when I waited
on him over Potowmack & took my leave. As the Inhabitants
did not shew more forwardness here than in Virg'' to serve the
Troops with their Waggons & Horses they were obliged to
impress & take all they could find which the people not duly
considering the necessity of such a proceeding heavily com-
plain against especially as they cannot get payment for their
Service & Attendance by reason our Assembly would not give
or appropriate a small Sum of Money to that & similar uses
tho it was so particularly enjoyned them by S' Tho" Robinson's
last Letter. As the Burthen has fallen upon a few compara-
tively I am afraid the Assembly will never releive them tho I
doubt not they will speak very pathetically when they meet of
the hardships the few have been subjected to by means of the
Obstinacy of the many. The Regiments since their Arrival p. 82
have been increased by about 200 Voluntiers from this Province
but the General still finding the Regiments incomplete gave
Orders for Recruiting Servants, this I in vain endeavoured to
persuade him off from, representing the Mischief & Detriment
that the Inhabitants must suffer from such a measure ; the
Servants immediately flocked in to enlist, Convicts not excepted,
& their Masters made innumerable Applications to me for
Releif which I was sorry to be unable to grant, here I found
myself in difficult Circumstances. Many of the People's Cases
really called for Pity & Redress as the Planters Fortunes here
consist in the number of their Servants (who are purchased at
high Rates) much as the Estates of an English Farmer do in
the Multitude of Catde. The General on his part I saw posi-
tive because he thought himself too weakly provided with
Troops for what he has hopes of executing. As I have
endeavoured so I hope I have behaved in such a manner as to
give no Offence to either the General or the Province but I
confess I shall not be surprized if the Officers at their Return (if
it shall so happen) do not meet with the kindest Reception
among the Inhabitants. I have received a Letter from the
Camp since the General & the Troops have been at Wills-

2 1 2 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. Creek but it contained no Intelligence at all of the Number of
the Enemy at the Fort or any thing of the last Importance. I
beleive the Stores must be by this all carried up & I expect
they will leave Wills-Creek & march westward some Day next
week. I have not been advised by either of the Governors
how nearly the Corps forming in the northern Govern'^ are
compleated tho I hear the Levies go on briskly & expect to
receive Letters informing me of their Success in Nova Scotia
every Day. I am very sorry to find that M' Bladen interferes
so much at home & has had influence enough to persuade My
Lord to discountenance both M' Calverts & my Recommenda-
p. 83 tion of a Person to succeed M' lennings as Deputy Secretary :
the Genl" one M' Plater who was nominated by M' Calvert
when he found he could not support his first Recommendation
died a few Days since whereby the Office is again vacated, so
I doubt not there will be again great Struggles for Succession
at home, it being one of the Offices which I am not sufficiendy
impowered to dispose of here. As I cannot well concern
myself about this matter without Danger of giving Offence &
have in some sort failed already I will leave the Opponents to
make out their own Pretensions but am afraid M' Calvert will
be thereby subjected to some Difficulties &c

[Sharpe to Braddock.]

Annapolis May 28"^ 1755 —
Sr.

Your Favour of the 22"^ Inst. I have just now received & beg
leave to assure you that no Endeavours shall be wanting to
engage the Assembly in some sort to perform their Duty by
granting Supplies for the purposes you mention. There are
20 Four Pounders in Virg'' which were sent in for the Govern'^
Service last Summer & we have 4 six pounders in this Province
which I imagine will be sufficient in case the Enemy should
destroy or render useless those that they have now in their Fort
& I shall take care to convey them up on the first notice. Did
I find myself impowered I would not lose a moment to lay in a
quantity of Provision but as the power of granting Money for
such uses rests in the Representatives of the people in Assem-
bly I can promise nothing more as to that matter than that I
will attempt to make them sensible of the necessity of granting
such Supplies from the fatal Consequences that may attend
their neglect. In case I succeed with them I hope I shall find
no great Difficulty in convoying the Provisions to Fort Cum-
berland but I apprehend t'will not be so easy a matter to get
the Militia to march much farther tho if we have provisions to

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 213

convoy I will not despair of that also. Your kind Intelligence Letter Bk. 11.
of the Enemies Design to insult our distant Inhabitants will I p- ^^
hope influence our people to be on their Guard against such
Invaders & may perhaps be made some Use of by myself. I
shall take Care to get the Chariot hither & secure it till you
may have Occasion for it again or whenever you please shall
be ready to receive it at your own Price. Capt Orme has been
so kind as to intimate to me your Inclination to oblige me by
ordering the Discharge of the four men concerning whom I
took the Liberty to address you Col" Cresap has Orders to
repay the Bounty money which I find is expected with an equal
number of men who shall be marched up without Delay.
I am &c.

[Calvert to Sharpe.] Original.

London May 29"' 1755.
Sir

I have a particular request made to me by a friend of mine
whom I esteem much, it is in behalf of M' Sam' Massy In
Queen Ann's County the favour Desired for him is an Appoint-
ment for his being a Sheriff of a County, as I am asured he
can sufificiendy give security for his honest discharge of such a
Trust I beg leave to Recommend him to your favour & kind
office of friendship therein ; the Obligation will J*e valued by
him, who is with all Respect y' **

obliged h'''*' Serv'
C^eciP Calvert

[Bradstreet to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir

I think it my Duty to give you the Earliest Notice that in my
way to this place Colo. Johnson and I examin'd a french man
who deserted from Canada with his Wife, who inform'd us that
the French had actually sent nine Hundred and fifty Men to
the Ohio in four Detachments the last of which he saw at
Cataraque and they pass'd this place about the time he expected
and that on my Arrival here the 27''' Instant I made it part of
my business to Examin into the truth of it from Indians who
are constandy coming here from all quarters who agree intirely
with his Account, since which the movements and Activity of
the French makes it still more necessary I should loose no rime
in ledng you know what has pass'd and the Accounts I have,
Viz' That on the 25"' of this Month twelve Battoos pass'd this
place with Men and Provisions, the 27"' Eleven, and this day
Eleven, which latter had on board nine small Cannon, and they

214 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

carry one with the other Ten Men, and I am well inform'd
there are more men preparing to set out from Cataraque and
others daily expected from Mountreal there, and the French
are useing all their power & Artifice to get as many Indians
with them to oppose General Braddock as they possibly can,
and Openly declare to the Indians they will send the whole
force of Canada but they will carry their Point. I must also
inform you there are many Indians here and Numbers are daily
expected and they appear to be very attentive to the pro-
ceedings between the French and us, and that I conceive there
never was a time when the giving Provisions to such as are in
real want and well chosen presents to the Principal People
than at this time and that great good might, and I believe
would result from it. I have sent an Express with these accounts
this day to the General across the Country, and have wrote to
the several Governors from New -York to Virginia also.
I am
Sir

Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
In Bradstreet
Oswego

29 May 1755.

The Hon"' Gov' Sharp

Bk. II. fSharpe to Braddock.]

Iune4'^
S'

On the Receipt of Capt Orme's Letter signifying your
pleasure concerning the payment of the Maryland Company I
have given M' Hopkins Instructions to pay them in the same
manner as the Virginians are paid which was what I intended
to have done when Capt Dagworthy was directed to stop
something from their former Allowance which was more than
the Virginians received. I presume Governor Delancey has
sent you Advice that a Body of about 300 french & some
Indians passed in 30 Battoes by Oswego, the 1 3"" of May as
it was supposed towards the Ohio. I have inclosed your
Excellency the last papers that we have received from England.
The young Gent" who presents this is one of whose Desire
to serve under your Command & Inclination to purchase in
case any Gent° should hereafter obtain your permission to sell

p. 85 his Commission I took the Liberty to speak, He at present
begs leave to make the Campaign as a Voluntier in hopes of
being able to approve himself worthy of favour. Any shewn
him would much oblige Y" &c

Correspondence of Governor Sharpc. 215

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.] Letter Bk.ir.

Annapolis lune S'*" 1755.

Your Favour of the 2'' is just delivered me, & a few Days
since I received also a Letter from the General of which I inclose
you a Copy; upon the Receipt of a Duplicate thereof Gov""
Morris has summoned the Assembly of that Province to meet
again the 1 3''' Inst, tho he seems to entertain as small hopes
from such a Proceedure as I do of procuring Supplies by the
Application that I am about to make to our People the 23^^
You intimate that the General thinks of drawing all the Troops
from Fort Cumberland & leaving it to these Provinces to
replace them with others or with their Militia I wish I may be
able to contribute to the doing either, but indeed I am afraid
if the Obstinacy of the Assembly forces me to make the Trial
I shall find our Militia Law even more defective than yours,
however I have sent peremptory Orders to the Officers to
muster & dicipline their respective Companies after their
manner & have also issued a Proclamation notifying to the
Back Inhabitants what they may expect, & cautioning them to
be on their Guard & prepare for their mutual Defence in case
of any Attack or Alarm. Pray what Carriage Guns have you
to send to Fort Du Quesne if wanted? Some Arms & Ammu-
nition I may perhaps be able to afford be the Determination of
our Gentlemen what it will, but as more than the ;^6ooo
granted last summer is already expended, nothing remains to
purchase Provisions with or to raise any more men for the
necessary purposes for which they are required. I have signi-
fied to the General what Satisfaction 'twould give me to be §6
enabled to comply with his Requisitions but at the same time
hinted to him my Apprehensions that it will not be put in my
power, from hence I think you will collect that we shall not
want any addition to be made to the 57 suits of Cloaths
which were received of M"^ Carlile. The promoters thereof
met with so many Obstructions & Obstacles in the way of the
Subscription that it has been entirely dropt. I am surprized
you had not received my last Letter which should have
acquainted you when I left the General. I learn that a Detach-
ment of 600 marched the 28"' of May under the Command of
S' lohn to open a Road & throw a Bridge over George Creek
a Stream that flows into Potowmack at about 10 miles Distance
from Wills Creek. The General with the Rest of the Forces
have I imagine or will follow them to morrow. The Com-
mandant at Oswego sends advice that 300 French & some
Indians in 30 large Battoes passed by that place for the Ohio
the 13"' of May & that 'twas said & expected more would
immediately follow.

2i6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. I havc Sent you a Copy of the Deposition of a Frenchman
who with his wife is just come down to inhabit in the Province
of N York. Governor Shirley's Regiment was to embark the
29"" uh. at Providence for Albany; Pepperels was not then
more than half compleat, which has induced Governor Shirley
to get the Destination of the lersey Troops enlarged they will
be now employed under his Command against Niagara. I
know not whether the Provincial Troops are compleated or at
what time they will be in motion. Some hundred Men are at
work I am told at N York about their Fortifications which
when finished will it is said render that City pretty defensible.
Succeed to your wishes, & Enjoy as perfect health as does at
present Your &c.

p. 87 [Sharpe to Morris.]

lune 9'''
S'

Your Letters dated the 29''' of May & 2^ of lune I have
received & also one from General Braddock much to the same
purport with that of which you sent me a Copy. A Duplicate
was also sent to Gov' Dinwiddie which was laid before the Vir-
ginia Assembly that was then sitting & he tells me they have
thereupon granted ^6000. for the uses & Services for which
the General sollicits Supplies if these Govern" only follow the
Example I hope we shall find no Difficulty in complying with
his Excellency's Desire & Requisition, if they should be
averse to making such a Provision I know not what can be
done but this is certain that the Leaving any Troops at Fort
du Ouesne without a Sufficiency of military Stores & Pro-
visions must be attended with the worst Consequences, &
these Provinces will I doubt severely feel the Effects of it rather
than such an Event should happen if we had provisions I
would make a Trial whether our Militia could not be taken out
to Escort & convoy them thither; I flatter myself your
Assembly will not refuse to furnish some Supplies of that Sort
& then whatever be the Issue of our Gentlemen's Meeting ; a
few Cannon some Arms & Ammunition shall be sent from this
place. I have writ to Virg"* for Governor Dinwiddle's Opinion
hereon & to know by what means he would have us contribute
to the Service in case we cannot succeed so far as to obtain the
Supplies now asked for such important purposes. I really
think the French & their Indians will execute their Threats
against the Back Inhabitants in hopes thereby to retard or
recall the Forces that are marched under the Command of
General Braddock. I have notified that piece of Intelligence
to our distant Inhabitants & cautioned & exhorted them by a

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 217

proclamation to be on their Guard & unite for their mutual
Defence &c

rSharpe to Calvert.l Letter Bk. i.

L ^ -" p. 125

lune 10''' 1755 transmitted by Capt Smith —
Sir

In my Letter dated the 22'' of May of whicli I now transmit
a Duplicate I acknowledged the Receipt of your favour by M'
Thornton dated the 15'^ of Feb^ the Reason why he is not
inducted to any Living in Obedience to his Ldps Instructions
you will be pleased to see in a Copy of part of a Letter trans-
mitted long since to which I request the favour of an Answer, p. 126
I have had the pleasure also to receive yours of the 17"" of
March by M' Gallaway, you therein intimate the Miscarriage
of a Letter of mine transmitted by Capt Coolidge's Ship
which I am much surprized at because it was delivered to the
Care of M' Chamier who went passenger & is esteemed a very
punctual & careful person, it was dated the 19"" of Dec' &
was writ to acquaint you what was doing here just at that time
only, however I have herewith inclosed a Copy. Your Letter
to Col. Lloyd I sent to him & as I presume he sent Letters of
Advice by Capt Allen who sailed in Jan>' I hope you are long
e'er this satisfied as to the Money Matters You mention & I
am glad to find there is so fair a prospect of our having the
Salt Act carried next Session of Parliament & you may be
assured I will not fail to let the Gent" of the Province know
how much they are already endebted to his Ldp's & your
Assiduity & Care with respect to that Affair. It gives me the
greatest Satisfaction to learn that my Letters concerning the
publick Transactions on this Continent are well received by the
Ministry as well as his Ldp. I do not know that I let slip any
Opportunity of sending Intelligence as soon as I have Grounds
for beleiving it true, tho it is possible news may often be more
speedily & frequently transmitted from Virg^* & the Northern
Colonies on Account of their frequent Intercourse with Europe
but indeed I am apt to think that it is not unusual for people
to write news hence as well as they do from London hither
before they are assured they are not falsifying. I am much
obliged to you for intimating to me what is transacting &
expected at home & will now in my Turn send you a short
Acco' of what is doing & may be expected to be executed
here. The plan of Operations that was concerted at Belhaven
I hope you will very shortly know however lest my last Let-
ters should miscarry I have inclosed with Duplicates of them
Copies also of the Minutes of Council & the plan there pro-
posed to be pursued. I hear S' W'" Pepperell has not been

21 8 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. able yet to raise more than half his Complement ; for which
P' '^^ Cause Gov. Shirley has prevailed on the Jersey Gov' to let their
500 Men be employed under his Command against Niagara.
It is expected that by this time Shirley's Regiment as well as
Pepperells are at New York & ready to march several Com-
panies of them are already gone to Oswego ; by which place
300 French & many Indians in 30 large Battoes were seen by the
Garrison to pass toward the Ohio the 1 3''' of May 600 Men
marched from Fort Cumberland westward the 28"^ of May to
secure passage as I conceive & fling a Bridge over Georges
Creek (a Stream that flows into Potowmack about 12 Miles
above Fort Cumberland) where perhaps they may raise some
Sort of Work lest the Enemy should act offensively I appre-
hend the General with the Rest of the Troops must be leaving
Wills Creek or Fort Cumberland about this time. Their
Recruiting parties have met with great Success lately so that
they do not I beleive number at this time less than 2500 Men.
You will see by a Copy of a Letter which I have lately received
from the General what his Expectations & Requisitions from
this Province are which indeed I think very reasonable but am
afraid I shall find the Assembly of different Sentiments, at
least that we shall be as dissonant as ever when we talk of the
Mode of giving even so small a Sum. The Assembly by
the Advice of His Ldp's Council will meet the 23'^ Inst.
& I shall not be much surprized if some of them express a Dis-
satisfaction at the Behaviour of the Troops before they left this
province & mutter at their Enlisting & taking away a good
many Servants from the Inhabitants of Frederick, Prince
Georges & Baltimore Counties, as well as impressing their Car-
riages & Horses. I wish I may be able to prevail on the Lower
House to relieve such of the people as have suffered thereby, but
I am doubtful! their Number is not considerable enough to influ-
ence or weigh with the Assembly who too seldom regard
things which do not immediately affect themselves The
Pensilvania Assembly broke up last Month without doing
p. 1 28 any thing but resolving that they will on no account recede
from the points they have insisted on, or give a Shilling more
unless they are indulged in their own ways. Gov' Morris
informs me that on the Receipt of a Letter from General
Braddock very similar to mine he has convened them again
the 13"' Inst but does not entertain any great hopes of Success.
I learn that the Virginians have granted ^6000 for the purposes
mentioned in the General's Letter. I do not understand by
what means or Scheme it is to be raised but it is said that on
Acco' of the Scarcety of Money in that Gov' it is proposed to
be raised by a Lottery. I am inclined to think the Threats of
the French & their Indians to fall on the Back Inhabitants in

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 219

hopes thereby to retard the General's Progress & recall him Letter Bk.i.
to our Defence will prove something more than a Bravado &
have issued a proclamation cautioning the Back Inhabitants to
be on their Guard & prepared to defend themselves & each
other against such Hostilities, & have also sent peremptory
Orders to the Officers of the Militia to muster & dicipline the
Men under their Command, but Alass, we want a MiHtia Act
similar to those of the Northern Governments without which I
fear very little Dependance is to be had on our Men in Cases
of Emergency & Danger. The inclosed petitions for the
Remission of Forfeitures to His Ldp I am intreated to trans-
mit. M' Bell was a Man of some Fortune & well esteemed in
the Country, but Accidents have reduced him in his Circum-
stances, & at the time he forfeited his Recognizance he dared
not appear to seek for or bring the Offender who had been a
Labourer of his to the Court for fear of being arrested himself,
having not at that time compromised Matters with- his
Creditors. lohn Gibson the other Security is recommended
as an Object worthy his Ldp's Clemency for the Reasons
offered in his petition which with the other I submit to his
Ldp's pleasure. The account of the Gross amount of Fees to
the Commissarie's Office for one year which is herein trans-
mitted was presented me a few Days since by M' Dulany who p. 129
with M' Tasker had been speaking thereon to me before,
they tell me the vast Difference & Disparity between this &
the Estimate that the Clerk of the Office delivered me last
year when M' Tasker was sole Commissary is owing to the
Clerks Error & Mistake at that time who included in the Gross
Amount of every year the Insolvencies of the preceeding year,
which are always sent to the Sheriff" in hopes that he may then
be able to recover some of the Debts that were returned
insolvent the preceeding year. M"^ Dulany told me that finding
his Duty in & Attendance to that Office clashed sometimes &
interrupted him a great Deal in the performance & pursuit of
his private Business as a Lawyer, he beged leave to Resign
assuring me at the same time that I should always find him
ready to serve His Ldp or myself with his Advice or other-
wise, at my Desire he continues his Commission till I receive
his Lordship's & your Instructions & Directions thereon —

[Sharpe to Braddock.] Letter Bk. 11.

Annapolis ii"" June 1755.
Sir

I am sorry to find myself obliged to address you at this time
by the numerous Applications that have been made by the

2 20 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

II. Inhabitants of this Province for Releif against Kennedy Ferrol of
Frederickton who presuming on the favour you had shewn him
by an Appointment to preside over the waggoners has biddin
Defiance to his Creditors & any civil power to which they could
recur for Redress. The Effects that should have been left to
satisfy in part his just Debts he forceably carried off impressing
a waggon for that purpose under pretence of its being for his
Majestys Service. Such his Behaviour & extravagant Inso-
lencies at his Departure upon the Assurance of finding a Pro-
tection by following the Camp obliges me to request you not
to countenance him in such proceedings, for that I am under a
necessity of issuing a warrant to all the civil Officers in this
Gov' to seize him whereever he shall be found & force him to
make his appearance in one of the Judicial Courts

[Sharpe to Halifax.]

lune II. 1755.
MyLd

I assume the honour of acknowledging the Receipt of your
Ldp's Lett' dated in Nov. last which 1 had the pleasure &
satisfaction to receive by General Braddock I flatter myself
that he is convinced I have let slip no opportunity of paying
due Respect to himself since his arrival in America & I hope
your Ldp will not hesitate to beleive that I have left no stone
unturned to enable him to succeed in the important Service to
which His Majesty out of his paternal Care for these Colonies
has appointed him ; but My Lord I am exceedingly sorry at
^9 being obliged to acquaint you that my Endeavours to obtain
such Supplies as the present State of Affairs requires & as are
requisite to render effectual the great purposes in hand have
hitherto wanted a happy Effect, & that the several Motives of
Duty & Gratitude to_ his Majesty & their Mother Country so
justly due, or a proper Regard for their own preservation
which I have frequently urged to them in hopes of encouraging
& animating them thereby to exert themselves at this important
Juncture have hitherto failed of their desired Effect. I shall
again meet the Assembly of this Province the 23'' Inst. &
endeavour to persuade them to contribute at least to the Sup-
port of the Garrison that the General shall think proper to
leave at Fort Du Ouesne to prevent future Incroachments &
Usurpations ; for declining this I think they cannot pretend to
offer an Excuse tho the Experience I have already had forbids
me to indulge very sanguine Expectations of their CompHance
even so far ; Whatever be my Success therein I hope your
Lordship will think nothing shall be wanting on my part &
that I will most chearfully embrace every Opportunity of

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 221

shewing my Duty & the most punctual Obedience to His Letter Bk. 11.

Majestys & your Ldp's Commands, & as much as my Ability

will enable me, cooperate with & assist General Braddock in

every thing he shall think necessary for his Majesty's Service.

I had lately the pleasure of seeing at Annapolis M' Pownall by

whom I was favoured with another Letf from your Ldp, I

received the greatest pleasure from shewing him every mark

of Esteem & Regard during his Stay here as I shall always be

most ready & desirous to do to every Gent" who may have

been favoured with your Ldp's notice —

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.] p. 90

lune 12"' 1755.

Inclosed is a Copy of my last Letter, & also of one that I
received about a fortnight since from General Braddock, Dupli-
cates of which were at the same time sent to Governor Din-
widdie & M'' Morris that to M'' Dinwiddle was delivered just
as his Assembly was sitting & upon his submitting it to them
they have voted ^6.000 for the uses for which the General at
present solHcits Supplies. Governor Morris acquaints me that
the Assembly of that province will meet next Monday on the
same account tho from their past Conduct especially at their
last meeting about 5 weeks ago he entertains but very faint
hopes of finding them better disposed to comply with these the
Generals Requisitions. I have called our people together the
23'' Inst, intending this once to apply to them to make some
provision for the important & most necessary Services men-
tioned in General Braddocks Letter, this I do more to shew
myself equally ready & forward with the Gent" abovementioned
to comply with the General's Desire & the Ministry's Letters
than with any prospect or hopes of persuading the Assembly
to recede from or wave the points that have been the Subject
& Occasion of our Dissonance & Controversy & to grant any
Aid by such means as I am permitted to hear or concur in. I
most heartily wish I may not be obliged to meet our Gen" again
upon the same or similar Occasions for I foresee that these
Steps & manner of proceeding must inevitably produce a
Coldness or Disagreement between the people & myself. I
have intimated to the General how unpromising my prospect p- 91
at present is & let him know that he must not entertain any
great Expectations from the measures I now take in Compli-
ance with his Request, As to his Desire that I will order the
Militia of this Govern' to join with some from Virg'' & Escort
provisions & Stores to Fort Du Ouesne it shews only what an
inadequate Idea he has of the Constitution of these Govern'^ or

222 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. the powcr of the Governors, for want of such a Militia Law
as is in force in the Northern Provinces we can scarcely oblige
the people to act in the Defence of themselves & properties
when immediately attacked, how then will they obey our
Orders to leave their Business & Families to march out of the
Province when they have not the least prospect or Expectations
of receiving a Reward for their Trouble. I am advised that
600 Men marched from Wills Creek the 28"" of May in Order
to secure a passage over Georges Creek about 1 2 Miles
beyond Fort Cumberland or Wills Creek I suppose they
have thrown a Bridge over it & raised some kind of works for
its Defence in Case the Enemy should Act Offensively ; I
imagine the General marched with the Rest of the Troops last
Monday or Tuesday he had about 50 Indians with him & had
reason to expect more would join him on his March. I received
a Letter lately from New York advising me that 300 French &
some Indians passed by Oswego Fort on Lake Ontario the 13'''
of May & that there is great reason to beleive some other
p. 92 Detachments went from Canada at the same time for the Ohio
also by the North Side of the Lake I think that Gover' Shir-
ley's & S' W" Pepperell's Regiments must have nearly reached
Oswego but Pepperell has not been able to get more than half
his Complement, wherefore the 500 Jersy Men are to act also
under Shirleys Command to make up the Deficiency. When
Col° lohnson will proceed to Action I do not certainly know
but I hear the Troops that he is to command are almost
compleat —

Calvert
Papers.

[Calvert to Sharpe.]

London June 12"" 1755
Sir

I have y"^ of the 10"' of April by way of Philadilphia. It
concens His Lord^ to understand the Lo: House have shown
no regard to His Instructions for Amendment of the Tobacco
Law. Obstinacy ag' the Superior Lord well-Advised & with
Candour lay'd before a Legislative Body to Rectifye real mis-
take, the Non-Compliance Endangers the Wellfare of a People,
Alike is his Concern to know, their unwillingness to grant Aid
in Support & Defence Ag' the Enemy of their King &
Country, & their offers of wrong to his Rights, with' any regard
or consideration to him. However, trusts y"" rectitude to Abide
by His Instructions on Ordinary Licences &c.

By y" since General Bradocks Arrival in America you have
not wanted Company at Annapolis: it seems to a been the
General Rendez-Vous It gives My Lord pleasure as it Lus-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 223

ters Honour to the Province, as well as Proffit to the Metropolis. CaWert
He hopes to hear of Reward for y' Service done by Commis- p-^p^'^^-
sion as Lieu' Colonel & Comd' of His Majestj^'s Forces in
America. He wishes all success to the Gen' & Forces, is well
pleased that Forces of the Province are Listed into the English
Regiments & deem'd of service in Defence of His Majesty's
Affairs, & hopes the Province will not be wanting to increase
the Residue of Force.

In my last I hint'd a Compl' of M' Stuart Contractor with
the Goverm' for transporting Convicts since, he has present'd
the Proprietor witli a Memorial w^ I transmit you, with a Copy
of My Letter to him, his LordP' answer to the request of the
Memorial, perhaps it may Quiet the Affair. You have also his
Case he stat'd to M"^ Murray Attor>' Gen' concerning. My
Lord directs to y' peculiar Care How you let pass Acts of
Assembly touching Acts of Parliam'^ ¥"■ Notice to M' Ross
Clerk to the Upper House is desier'd for his Care after Ses-
sions of Assembly to transmit the Acts.

Alls Peaceable here. No ace' of Admiral Boscawen since
his departure westw'' Nine sail of the French are said return'd
into Brest, the rest sail'd West with the Transports & Troops.
Men of War by our Admiralty are Cofniss"'' Daily. Twenty
three of the Line at Spit-head. With peculiar Esteem,

Y' Very Hu'"^ Serv'
CaeciP Calvert.

Pos' His Lordp is surpris'd at M'' Lloyds detention of His
Money Next Mich™' he'll be two years with' acco'^ M"^ Tasker
annually did. Pray remind him it gives uneasyness

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter Bk. i.

lune 12'*' 1755.
MyLd.

The 22'' of last month I acquainted your Ldp that the Gen-
eral had reached Fort Cumberland & that I apprehended he
would put the Troops in Motion soon after, since that time I
have received a Letter from his Excellency of which I have
inclosed your Ldp a Copy that will shew what his Expectations
are from this province 1 wish the Behaviour of our Assembly
did not give me room to fear his Expectations will be disap-
pointed. The Pensilvania Assembly is already broke up with-
out doing anything but making a Resolve to recede from no
point which has already been the Subject of Controversy.
Upon the Receipt of a Lett' from General Braddock similar to
that directed to myself. Governor Morris has once more sum-
moned that Assembly to meet the 1 3''' Inst, but he expresses

p. 129

224 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

no very sanguine hopes of finding them better disposed at this
time to comply with his Requisitions by contributing Supplies
for the Uses for which the General at this time sollicits them.
I hear the Virginians have voted^6ooo for those purposes but
cannot as yet Learn by what Scheme or means the Sum is to
be raised tho it is reported that they will think of some kind of
Lottery, Money being exceedingly scarce in that Govern' By
the Advice of your Ldp's Council I have called our Assembly
again the 23'' Inst, but as I have already hinted I am not with-
out fears that instead of granting Supplies they will scarcely
refrain from muttering against the proceedings of the Troops
under General Braddock who have not scrupled to carry off a
good many Servants with them from this Province as well as
Carriages & Horses I shall be under a necessity of recom-
mending to the Assembly to provide for the Relief of such of
the Inhabitants as have suffered thereby but as no more than
two or three Counties thro which the Troops marched have
been at all affected or injured I doubt the Assembly will not
be influenced by the Representations or Petitions of a few to
indemnify & give them Redress. I have thought proper to
issue a proclamation cautioning the Back Inhabitants to be on
their Guard & prepared to defend themselves & each other
against the Hostilities they are threatened with & have also
sent peremptory Orders to the Officers of the Militia to Muster
& Dicipline the Men under their Command & be in Readiness
to serve his Majesty & secure their own properties from the
destroying hands of the French & their Savage Allies, but
Alass for want of a Militia Act similar to those of New York
or the Northern Govern'^ Litde is to be expected from such
Defenders or Protectors ; & I am much afraid it will exceed
both Governor Dinwiddies & my Abilities to prevail on any of
them to stir toward Fort Du Ouesne or even Cumberland tho
the Assemblies should give us provisions & Stores to Escort
thither. I am advised that 600 Men marched from Wills-Creek
the 28"' of May in Order to secure a passage over Georges
Creek which flows into Potowmack about 1 2 Miles above Fort
Cumberland I suppose they will throw a Bridge over it
& raise some kind of Works for its Defence in Case the Enemy
should Act offensively. General Braddock I suppose marched
with the Rest of the Troops this morning, he had about 50
Indians with him & had reason to expect more would join him
on his March. The Recruiting parties have much filled the
Virginia & the other Companies since the General has been at
the Camp, but I learn from the Northward that S' W" Pep-
perells Regiment is not more than half compleat, which has
induced Governor Shirley to apply to the Gov' of the Jersies
for their 500 Men to be employed against Niagara under his

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 225

Command. I have not been informed in what forwardness the Letter Bk. i.
other provincial Troops are or when Gov' Shirley & Col. John-
son will proceed to Action, but I have received Intelligence
that 300 French & some Indians passed by the English Fort
called Oswego on Ontario Lake the 1 3"" of last Month on their
way towards the Ohio & there is room to beleive that some
other Detachments are sent from Canada to the same place.
I have nothing farther at present but shall take every Oppor-
tunity of communicating to your Ldp what Intelligence I may
receive from the Northward or Westward & also of all Occur-
rences that shall happen in your Ldp's Govern' I beg leave
to present my most respectful Compl"* & to congratulate my
Lady & yourself on her Ladyships Recovery which I had the
pleasure & Satisfaction to be informed of lately & also to
assure your Lordship that I remain with a grateful Sense of
your Ldp's favours Y' &c —

[Dinwiddle to Sharpe.] Original.

Williamsburg lune 18''' 1755
Sir

Yours of the S'*' Curr' I reC^ from M' Hunter I have from the
General a Letter much to the same Purport of what you
enclos'd me, & am of opinion if the General succeeds in taking
the Fort at the Ohio, that the Charges attending & maintaining
it shou'd be paid by Pensylva" Maryland & this Colony ; & as
our Assembly meets next Tuesday I shall endeavour to get
them to provide for that Service & hope you will meet Your
Assembly in good Temper to do what is absolutely necessary
at this Time.

As Fort Cumberland shou'd be taken Care of, will not your
People enable you to raise some men to place in that Fort? &
I will raise some for that Service. I have wrote to the County
Lieu" to have their Militia in order, to keep Patrolers on the
Frontiers to give proper Alarms in Case the French or Indians
shou'd attempt any Invasion among our Settlers in the back
Country.

I am preparing to send up ten Carriage Guns with all their
Appurtenances to be sent to Fort Cumberland & from thence
to the Fort on the Ohio Provisions must be properly supplied
& I have wrote to Gov' Morris on that Head, his Letter is
enclosed which I beg you to forward by very first opp'^ The
Delay of our Forces has given the French great opportunity of
reinforcing their men on the Ohio ; but I am of opinion those
they have at the Ohio will be but small to those the Gen'
marches with him, so that I do not doubt of Success but the
Season of the Year advances.

2 26 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

I thank you for the Deposition of the Frenchman, but I hope
the Numbers of the French in Canaday are exagerated. I hope
Major Gen' Shirley's Regiment S' W"' Pepperill's & the Jersey
Forces are on their march to Niagara I shall be glad to hear
the Forces destin'd for Crown Point were in readiness to
begin their march. I wrote you by M' Graham the 13''' to
which I want your Answer.

Eleven Officers belonging to three Regiments in Nova
Scotia arrived here last Week in order to recruit for their Regi-
ments to compleat them to 1000 men each I accomodated
Cap' Floyer & Cap' Stone with Horses to wait on the General
for his Commands, & the others come in this Sloop to remain
in your Place 'till the above Officers return & I recommend
them to your Civility & Friendship ; they cou'd have but very
poor Chance in recruiting here, & indeed the Distance from
this to Nova Scotia to march them this hot Season I think very
bad, however no doubt the General will give them his orders.
I wish you Health, Felicity & Success with Your Assembly —
I remain in Truth —

Your Excellency's

most obed' hble Serv'

Rob' Dinwiddle

Pray be so kind as to forw*^ the
enclos'd with all possible Expedit"
as M"^ Tasker's Letter is of great
Consequence to them. —
Gov'' Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

p. 92 June 22''

S^

herein you receive my Acco" made out according to your
Desire. The Ballance you will be pleased to remit in Bills of
Excha. or Cash as you may find convenient, we value Gold at
17' b^ Stg. an Ounce & our Currency is 60 p C worse than
Stg. Gist's Declaration to me that he had been obliged to
expend that money of Montours to purchase provision for
the Troops removed in great part the Objection I might other-
wise have made to advancing him the money & his Concealing
from me when Montour was present what you say he has since
asserted concerning Montours being endebted to him gives
me the greatest Reason to beleive he deals unfairly & has
been guilty of an Embezlement. I before gave you my
Reasons for letting Montour have the money at that time &
indeed I am still inclined to think his Friendship will prove
worth the purchase. You know what induced me to advance

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 227

Capt Poison money so readily & I hope you will not condemn Letter Bk. 11.

my Conduct therein, tho his Extravagance should render him p- 93

unable to give a Satisfactory Acco' of its Disposal. I observe

by an Acco' that I received from him some time since that the

Expence of raising his Men Victualing them till he reached

Frederickton & their pay to the 23 of March amounts to ^35.

13. 10 more than he had then received so that if the Men were

regularly paid I hope he will not be much in Arrears. By our

Act of Assembly Soldiers are to be victualed at i' a Day each

but I beleive that Act was not made before Capt Poison

reached the place of Rendezvous: when his Company came

thither you may see in the inclosed Acco" which the Inhabitants

on whom they were quartered delivered me with a petition

requesting payment but in that I am unable to gratify them the

Money that was granted by our Assembly last Summer being

all expended & I almost dispair of finding them disposed to

grant any more Supplies I am sorry to find Capt Rosse has

not behaved so genteely as might have been wished &

expected, & should have been glad he had dealt a little more

ingenuously widi me too when he requested me to speak in

his favour to the General without undeceiving me with respect

to his Rank & Half pay. The General however has given

him a first Lieutenancy in Pepperels Regiment & I suppose he

has eer this joined his Corps. I received a Letf this morning

from General Braddock dated the 17"" Inst at the Litde

Meadows (between 20 & 30 Miles from Fort Cumberland)

M' Shirley tells me they were got so far with much Difficulty

& Distress but were preparing to go on with more speed by

lessening the Number of waggons to those necessary for the p. 94

Artillery & reducing the provision &c to such a quantity as

may be carried on Horses. A Detachment of 1000 of the

best Troops were to go forward to the great Crossing & the

Rest were to follow more slowly with the remaining waggons

& provisions. A Gent" arrived here this Day in less than 7

weeks from London informs me that his Majesty was gone to

Germany & that he was about to leave England the ministry

seemed to be in some hurry on Acco' of Intelligence that had

been rec'' of 22 Sail of Ships having sailed from France toward

the western Coast of Ireland upon which Admirals Hawke &

Boscawen sailed after them with 1 2 Ships, it was reported

that the French had embarked a very considerable Number of

Troops with a Design of making a Descent in that Kingdom —

2 28 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to Lord Albemarle.]

p. io8

lune 22. 1755 —
My Ld

About a Month since I had the pleasure to receive by the
hand of a Stranger the Letter w''"' you did me the honour to
write the 11"' of last July, by w' Accident I have been so long
deprived thereof I could not learn : I also embrace this Oppor-
tunity of Acknowledging the Receipt of your Ldps Favour
Including a Letf to Gen' Braddock & to express my Thanks
& Gratitude for the kind mention you were pleased to make
of me therein. Your Ldp I flatter myself will be readily per-
suaded, that neither Disposition nor Endeavours were wanting
on my Part to recommend myself to the General & to approve
myself not entirely unworthy of the notice your Lordsp had
taken of me to him & I have the Satisfaction to think he is not
displeased at my Behaviour or Conduct) tho I should have
been exceedingly glad to have assisted in Person & to have
been better enabled than our assembly thought fit to contribute
to the Success of the Expedition in which he Is engaged. I
have this Day received a Letter from him dated the 17"' Inst
when he was advanced about 25 Miles from Fort Cumberland
(sometimes called Wills Creek) Westward but perhaps before
I acquaint your Ldp what is now in Action I may be expected
to give a short Relation of w' has been already done or rather
left undone in Consequence of His Majesty's honouring me
with the Commission that I acknowledged the Receipt of to
p. 109 your Ldp in Novem' When I was at that time at Williamsburg
tho the winter was then unhappily just approaching I was not
absolutely without hopes of being enabled to satisfy in some
measure my Friend's wishes for my Success & Prosperity I
proposed to Gov'' Dinwiddle (who had ^20000 from England
at his Disposal beside ^1500 which his Assembly had granted)
to raise 500 or 600 Men immediately & with them & the
Independant Companies to have made an Attempt on the Fort
that the Enemy had raised at the mouth of the Monongahela,
but whatever were my hopes at that time I was soon convinced
of their Vanity when in Novem' I arrived at Wills Creek
there I learnt that the number of the French at their Fort
exceeded 600, beside several Parties of Indians who were at
their Devotion & submitted to their Command, The Fort tho
small was rendered pretty defensible by a Ditch & two Out
Works before the Curtains that faced the Land on the side of
the Rivers it was well secured by Palisadoes & the Garrison
had laid In a sufificient quantity of Provision for at least the
whole winter. On the Contrary, we had no Provisions yet
procured & with great Dlfificulty could a Sufficiency be at that
late Season purchased & collected ; neither had Gov' Din-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 229

widdie as yet commissionated Commissaries for that Purpose, Letter Bk. 11.
Mortars, Field Pieces or Cannon we had none except four
small ones of the Latter which I purchased out of a Ship. The
Troops that I must have commanded were three Independant
Companies that did not in the least answer my Expectations
as your Ldp will conceive when you are informed that S' lohn
S' Clair on reveiwing them has since discharged 40 Men from
one of them only as entirely unfit for Duty: The Remains of
the Virg^ Forces with a few Recruits amounted to about 130 p- no
discontented unruly & for want of Pay mutinous: the Mary-
land Company was at that time incompleat & undisciplined,
but I may at least say they were not inferiour to any of the
Rest. The Officers who were honoured with his Majesty's
Commissions would not deign to rank with those who served
under those of his Majestys Governors; Vain were my Attempts
to persuade them to agree, tho I proposed the same Scheme
w^*" is now come with a Sanction from home; Such Jealousies
& Enmities subsisted between the Officers of the Carolina
Independants & the Virg^ Regiment that their meeting
would have been attended with innumerable Mischiefs &
Confusion; perhaps the greater the Number of such Troops
as these the greater had been the Danger of a miscarriage had
I ventured to make an Attempt. I had sollicited the several
Neighbouring Colonies for Supplies but received scarcely
hopes of Assistance from any other & but very little from my
own Gov' The Levies went on very slowly the Natives
shewed no Inclination nor would they be persuaded to bear
Arms, to have attempted any thing & have failed of Success
must have been attended with the entire Loss of such Indians
as have hitherto seemed or appeared to be in our Interest. In
these Circumstances I shall not be condemned I hope for not
acting Offensively : finding that impracticable I posted what
Troops we had in such a manner as they could best protect our
Frontiers till the Arrival of the Troops from Europe (which
Letters had by this time bid us expect) should make things put
on a better Face. I returned hither in December & endeav-
oured once more to obtain some money of the Assembly with
which I might be able to make some Provision & put matters
in such Forwardness as might facilitate the General's Oppera-
tions in the Spring, but failing herein (I beleive the People p. m
begun to think that as Troops were coming from Europe they
had no Occasion to concern themselves any farther) I paid
another Visit to the Camp, intending to tarry there & keep the
Men employed in building Store Houses &c till I should be
advised of the General's or the Troops Arrival, here on the
26 of Jan^ I had the Satisfaction to congratulate S' I S' Clair
on his Arrival who came thither with a Design to see executed

230 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. what I had begun having given the Commissaries that Gov-
ernor Dinwiddie had novir appointed Instructions about laying
Provisions into the Magazine we returned to Williamsburg in
hopes of finding the General by that time there being disap-
pointed in these Expectations I could not wait his Arrival by
reason our Assembly was again about to meet, but I left a
Letf for him & as soon as I was released by the Assembly's
Prorogation I waited on him the last week in March at Alex-
andria where he was just arrived & where the Regiments from
Ireland were then disembarked & Encamped. The 3"^ of
April the General came to Annapolis where he had appointed
to have an Interview with Governor Shirley who however did
not come hither till the week following & then we proceeded
to the General at Alexandria. With General Braddock I had
the honour & satisfaction to welcome Commodore Kepple to
Annapolis & from him to receive your Favour dated the
General Braddock stayed here three Days with a little Impa-
tience & at his Return hence ordered the Regiments to move
westward Col° Halketts & the Train thro Virg^ to Fort Cum-
p. 112 berland & Colo. Dunbar's on this side Potowmack to the same
place. The great Scarcety of Waggons & Horses in these
Parts & the Difficulty of getting those that are by reason our
Assemblies had granted no money for the Payment of them or
for any such Purposes obliged the Troops to move very slowly
so that they did not reach Fort Cumberland till the 2^ week in
May & all the Stores were not got thither till some time after-
wards. The 28"" of May a Detachment of 600 was ordered to
march & fling a Bridge over a Stream that flows 14 or 1 5 miles
from Fort Cumberland westward & the General with the Rest
of the Troops followed the lo'*" Inst. & had on the ly"" with a
good deal of Difficulty on Account of the Hills & Mountains
that occurred marched about 25 or 30 Miles. I beleive they
have as many more Miles to march before they get into a level
Country. The Army consists of about 2300 Men fifty of whom
are left under the Command of Colo. Innes (he is a Gent" of
N Carolina was a Captain at Carthegena but has since sold his
Commission) at Fort Cumberland. The Troops have hitherto
been pretty healthy, I am informed 50 Invalids only are left
behind with Colonel Innes. After this week we shall be in
daily Expectation of receiving Letters from Fort Du Ouesne
that will give all his Friends & these Colonies Room to con-
gratulate themselves on the Generals Success. He tells me
that he proposes to repair the Fort that the French have raised
in case he reduces it or build some other place of Defence there
as a Barrier against future Encroachments which he will garri-
son with the Virginia & Maryland Troops & leave it to these
two Colonies to Victual them ; I do not know who is to have

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 231

the Command of the Garrison at present all the ProvincialLetterBk.il
Troops are formed into Independant Companies of 50 each P' "^
I apprehend he cannot leave there less than 5 or 6 of these
Companies. While the General is employed on the Ohio,
Gov' Shirley's & S' W"' Pepperell's Regiments with 500 Men
from the Jersies are to make an Attack on the French at
Niagara & more than 4000 Men more that are raised by the
N England & N York Gov" are to be commanded by one
Col° Johnson & attempt the French Fort at Crown-Point
(called Fort S' Frederick) on the Northern Frontier of N York.
This Colonel Johnson has resided many years among the
Mohawks a Tribe of the Six Indian nations & is in much
Esteem with them. The Hopes thereby to engage many of
those Savages to join in the Enterprize & at the same time his
being well regarded both by the People of N England &
N York induced the General to give Col° Johnson such a
Command: he does not seem to want Courage but has never
seen any Service unless that during the late War he sometimes
headed a Party of Indians. I have not heard lately how they
go on in that part of the Continent but am in hopes that by
this time they are also ready to enter on Action —

[Gov. Shirley to Morris.] Copy.

Boston June 23"^ 1755
Sir

I am to inform your Honour that on the 21" ins' the General
Assembly of this Province orderd a Bill to be brought in to
lay an Embargo upon all Vessels laden with Provisions (fish
only excepted) or with Warlike stores unless what are neces-
sary for the Voige for the space of one month provided never-
theless that the Governor or Commander in Chief for the time
being with the advice of the Council may Permitt a Supply to
be sent to the Armey & Navy with necessary Provisions within
that time.

They have likewise desird me to Write forthwith to the
other Governments informing them of this Determination of
this Government, and to desire that they would immediately
come into the same resolution for three months in which case
this Government will continue the like Embargo here for three
months also.

As their is certain Advice of a French Fleet being seen the
S"*" inst' about 40 Leagues from Louisburgh & there is great
reason to think that the french there as well as at Canada are
but scantly supplied with Provisions, I doubt not but your
Government will act in Concert with us in this matter. Being

232 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

much straitned in time and the Post just going I must pray your
honour to send Copies of this to Governor Dinwiddie and
Governor Sharp.

I am with great Respect

Sir
Your Honours most obedient
Humble Servant
The Honb'^ Robert Hunter Morris Esq^ W Shirley.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Baltimore.]

p- 131

lune 28"> [1755]
My Ld

The Assembly of this province met last Monday; the time
that has since intervened they have employed in preparing a
Bill for /5000 — to be granted to his Majesty & raised much
after the same manner as was in the last Session proposed ; as
they have again appropriated the Ordinary Lycences & those
of Pedlars to replace the money that must be taken out of the
Loan Office The Bill must according to your Ldps Instruc-
tions meet with the same Fate, as did that which was presented
the last Session. This Morning I received Letters from the
Troops who were the 22"^ Inst, when my Letters were Dated
about 40 Miles westward from Fort Cumberland, the Difficulty
of getting Waggons & heavy Baggage over the Mountains
has retarded them a good Deal as your Lordship will conceive
when you are informed that the General has been i 2 Days
marching these 40 Miles. A small Body of French had been
discovered by their advanced Guard, but it is not confirmed to
me that they have had any Skirmish I hope & expect Fort
Du Quesne will at least be invested by the Middle of next
Week. This Morning I received Letters from Col° Innes
Commandant of Fort Cumberland, & Colo Cresap advising
me that on last Monday morning a party of French Indians
fell upon some of the distant Inhabitants of Frederick C'^ of
whom they killed three with the Loss of only one of their own
party & carried Eight away prisoners. By other Letters from
Virg^" I am informed that another party of these Barbarians
have also murthered Eleven of the Back Inhabitants of that
province & carried as there is reason to suspect many more
into Captivity I immediately communicated this Intelligence to
the Assembly & requested them to enable me to provide
against & prevent such Accidents for the future, in Answer to
my Message they presented the following Address — "Resolved
that this House will make suitable provision for the paying &
maintaining 80 Men including Officers for 4 months (if Occa-
sion) for ranging on the Frontiers of this Province to protect

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 233

the same against the Incursions & Depredations that may be Letter Bk. i.
attempted or made by the French or their Indian Allies —
" Resolved further that this House will defray the reasonable
Expence of conveying Intelligence from Wills Creek to
Annapolis & back thither for four Months" — I could have
wished they had proceeded to prepare a Bill immediately in
pursuance of their Resolves but they have postponed it to
Monday Morning. I shall embrace another Opportunity of
writing next Wednesday when I hope to send your Ldp better
news & to repeat to your Ldp how much I am Yrs. &c.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

lune 28'^ 1755 — transmitted by Capt Sutton —
Sir

Inclosed you have a Copy of my last & herewith you receive
Duplicates of the Laws that were passed last Session. Your
Favour dated the 7"" of April I have received & will present
M' Gordon with His Ldps Mark of Favour to morrow; With
M' Tasker will I consult concerning M' Hides Affair & write
to you thereon next Wednesday. Our Assembly met last
Monday as I before gave you reason to expect. Yesterday
morning they presented the Upper House with a Bill for
/^5000; but as the Ordinary & Pedlars Lycences are thereby
appropriated as they were by the Bill which was rejected last
Session, it must consequently meet with the same Fate.
Copies of my Speech & both Houses Addresses by way of
answer you have by this Opportunity & also in the Gazette
you will see an Address which has been since presented me,
together with my Answer thereto, the Reason why I seem to
have restrained them to a pretty small Sum both in my Speech
& Message was that I knew if they voted a larger the Ordinary
Lycences &c would be inserted in & be appropriated by the
Bill that should be brought in to raise the Money ; about

"00 is at this time in the Loan Office unappropriated,
that money I want to see them apply but I beleive 'twill be
vain to wish it — This morning I received Letters from the
Camp dated the 22'' Inst, the General & Troops were at that
time about 40 Miles from Fort Cumberland which they left the
lo"" the many Hills Sz; Vallies that they have been obliged to
Cross have rendered their march so far very tedious & dis-
agreeable, but as they must eer this have descended into a
more level Country we shall Expect to receive in 8 or 10 Days
some Accounts from Fort Du Ouesne. The Generals Advanced
Guard had discovered a small Body of French & Indians at a
Distance but tis not certain that there has been as yet any

4-

th;

2 34 Correspondence of Governor S/iarpe.

Letter Bid. Skirmish. Monacatoocha a brave Indian who attends the
General was made prisoner by a party of the Enemy who I
suppose surprized him as he was scouting abroad, but I hear
that by some Accident he has made his Escape from them &
is again returned to the Camp. In my last I hinted to you
what I expected would happen as soon as the Troops should
have passed the mountains, this morning I was unhappily
confirmed in my Opinion by several Letters that I received
P- '34 from Col° Innes who is left with a Garrison of 50 Men at Fort
Cumberland, from Col° Cresap at about 9 Miles from whose
House the Affair happened, & from a Person at Winchester in
Virg'' the purport of those Letters you will learn from the
Message that was immediately sent to the Lower House
of which I have inclosed a Copy with their Address to me in
answer thereto. What method will be fallen on to raise Money
for the Company that they propose to raise I cannot guess but
I wish they had proceeded to that Business at once without
taking so long time to cool & wear off the Impression that my
Message made on them, however a Day or two will deter-
mine that Affair at least & I shall have an early opportunity of
apprizing you of the Event & once more of assuring you that
I am &c —

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to Robinson.]

'•'' 28"' June 1755-

R' Hoiible

Lest the General should have embraced no Occasion him-
self I take this Opportunity of acquainting you that General
Braddock & the Troops under his Command left Fort Cum-
berland or Will's-Creek the 10"' Inst, the last Letters that I
have had the honour to receive from him were dated the 22"^
when he had with a good Deal of Difficulty on Account of the
Mountainous Country that occurred advanced Westward from
Fort Cumberland about 40 Miles. A flying Party of the
French had surprized & taken Prisoner an Indian (lately called
the half King) who attended the General's Camp & is esteemed
a very bold & honest fellow, but on the Approach of the Gen-
eral's advanced Guard who discovered them they let him
escape & retired towards their Fort — The 23'' of this month a
party of Indians fell upon four Families of our distant setlers,
of whom they killed three & carried 8 away Captives — Letters
from Winchester in Virg'' of the same Date advise me that
p. 95 another party of French Indians did the Beginning of this
week attack & kill 1 1 of the Back-Inhabitants of that province
& that many persons were missing who they supposed
were carried away prisoners. Our Assembly being at this

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 235

time convened I have apprized them of these Transactions Letter I3k.
& desired them to impower me to raise & support a Company
of Rangers for the Protection of our Frontiers from such kind
of Incursions. They have not yet come to any Resolution, &
I know not what I am to expect in Consequence of my
Message —

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.]

lune 28"^ 1755 —

Since the Date of my last a Copy of which is inclosed I
have learnt that the General with the Troops under his com-
mand left Fort Cumberland the 10''' Inst & that they had
advanced about 40 Miles from that place westward the 12^ in
their march so far they have been put to a good many Diffi-
culties by the inequality of the Ground they have been obliged
to pass & the Badness of the Roads which were almost im-
practicable for waggons & the Artillery, however as he must
have descended into a more Level Country by this time we
hope & expect in 8 or 10 Days to receive news from Fort Du
Ouesne Letters from the Camp tell me that their advanced
Guard had discovered a party of the Enemy, but that a Skirmish
ensued wants Confirmation — Our Assembly is now sitting
they have shewn pretty good temper & moderation hitherto,
but the Bill they have this morning sent up for ^5000. is very
similar to that lately rejected as to its matter & form so it
must consequently meet with the same Fate. Pray on what
is your Opinion with respect to his Lordships Right to the
Ordinary Lycence Fines & those arising from Lycences granted
Hawkers & pedlars founded. Our Lawyers seem to entertain
different Sentiments & many of his Ldp's Council appear
wavering. In the Infancy of the Colony the Fines upon p. 96
Ordinary Lycences were taken by the Lord Baltimore as his
by prerogative, & sometimes they were by him given to his
Secretary: When King William assumed the Govern' they
were appropriated by Law & have been since that time given
by several temporary Laws to the late Lord, in 39 the Assembly
refused to continue them to his Ldp & the Law expiring, no
Lycences were granted ; in 1 740 they were by Law appropriated
to defray the Expence of raising men for the Carthagena Expe-
dition, again in 1 746 for that intended against Canada which
Law is still in force, by an Act made last July they are appro-
priated toward Sinking _^6ooo. that was then granted for his
Majesty's Service, this act I ventured to pass with the advice
of his Ldp's Council contrary to my first Instructions in what
manner I am at present restrained you will see in the inclosed

236 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. Instructions. His Ldp does at this time receive the forfeitures
for neglect in Hawkers & Pedlars to take out Lycence; but
he insists on the Lycence Fines also — His Ldp also claims as
his Right by prerogative a Fine for Lycencing Ferries, so did
the late Lord once & to quiet the peoples Clamour immediately
dropt the Affair, at this time some of our Ferries are kept by
Order of the County Courts the person who keeps the Boats
has a Sum of Tob° levied by the Justices on the C'^ for his
payment & the Ferry is free, other Ferries are kept by private
persons who demand of Passengers what they please &
passengers must pay their Demand or be refused conveyance,
most certainly a Regulation is necessary but the people will
never vest the proprietor with the Right & power of granting
Lycences, & he will not pass a Regulating Bill witho' it. I
earnestly beg the favour of your Opinion on these matters.
Yesterday I received Advice that a party of French Indians
had fallen on our Back Inhabitants of whom they killed three
p- 97 & carried off 8 prisoners. Another party at the same time fell
on the Inhabitants of Virg'' who are setled at a Distance, they
say that 1 1 of them have been found murthered & many others
who are missing are supposed to have been carried off, I
immediately apprized our Assembly thereof & desired them
to enable me to raise a Company of Rangers to prevent such
Accidents for the future, in Answer they presented the inclosed
Address, but postponed the making suitable provision till
Monday Morning. Be pleased to let B' W'" peruse this &
deliver or send the inclosed —

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

lune 29'*' 1755-

Sir

Your Favour dated the 16"" of April I have just now
received, His Ldp's Commands with respect to Doctor Sharpe
shall be complied with whenever a Living of Value shall
become vacant. I have received a Letter from M' Eversfield
a Clergiman in Prince Georges C" desiring me to recommend
his Son who is at Oxford to the Bishop for Orders & tells me
as an Inducement to my doing so that you advised or directed
his Son to take such measures. M"' Eversfield himself bears a
very good Character but as his Son has not been in the
Province since my Arrival I nor none else here can give him
Letters Testimonial to the Bishop of his good Life & Conver-
sation or of his Abilities, such a one he must get signed by
the Fellows of the College where he has received liis Education
& I am informed no Bishop will refuse a College Testimonium ;
Lest the Bishop should object to the Tide that the Son will

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 237

present from his Father to him (as the Bishop could not other- Letter Bk. i.
wise be satisfied of that Matter) I have certified under the
Great Seal that he is a Clergiman & holds Ecclesiastical pre-
ferment in His Ldps province. One M' Williamson Son of
Parson Williamson in Calvert Cty is going to England again
he tells me to offer himself a Candidate for Orders. His
Father has not the best of Characters but I have never heared
any ill of the young Fellow since his Residence here. If either
of these should request his Ldp's Favour for Ecclesiastical
preferment at their Return hither, I should wish they may not
receive any promise of being immediately provided for, as His
Ldp has already given me Liberty to prefer M' Thornton &
M"' M'^Pherson in case of Vacancies, & because when Gent"
have received promises at home for preferment here, every one p. 135
thinks himself entituled to the first promotion, & all that are not
first served are apt to think they are hardly dealt by. I hear
that some of the Burgesses incline to have the Company of
Rangers mentioned in their yesterday's Address, drafted by
Lot out of the Militia others are for raising that number of
Men & for striking paper money to pay them to be sunk by a
Duty on Rum some would persuade the House to wait the
Return of the Bill that now lies before the Upper House & if
it come with a Negative to appropriate part of the ^^ 3800 in
the Office to that Use. some also will endeavour to include
the Lycences &c in that Bill also. It has been hinted to me
that the Lower House will on the Return of the Bill address
his Ldp thereon expressing a Desire to have Love & Cordiality
restored & established between the two Houses & all the
Branches of the Legislature & in order thereto will desire leave
to have an Agent appointed for a certain time & a Sum
of Money appropriated to pay him & to bring this & perhaps
some other controverted Matters to a Hearing before his
Majesty & Council if I should be desired to present such an
Address I know not how I can refuse but any Bill for that pur-
pose you may be assured I will never hear of unless His Ldp
or yourself should favour me with Instructions for that purpose.

[Sharpe to Morris.] Letter Bk. 11.

June 30'^' 1755 P-57
S^

I send this Express at Governor Dinwiddies Desire with two
Letters that I have just rec*^ from Virg" General Braddock
acquaints me that he was the 22*^ Inst, advanced 40 miles from
Fort Cumberland towards the Ohio, the Badness of the Roads
& the Mountains have much distressed & retarded him. His
advanced Guard had discovered a small Body of French at a

238 Correspoiideiice of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bic II. Distance who upon the Approach of our Troops retired & let
Monacatoocha the Half King, who had fallen into their hands
escape. Saturday morning I received Letters from Coll Innes
& some of our distant Inhabitants informing me that this Day
sennight a party of Indians fell upon some of the Inhabitants of
Frederick C'^ of whom they killed three & carried off Eight
prisoners. The Body of a French Indian was found lying by
those of the three English who were murthered ; we are also
told that Eleven People have been killed by Indians in the
Back-parts of Virg'' upon my communicating this Intelligence
to our Assembly they presented me an Address of which I
have inclosed you a Copy, the Master of a Ship who left
London the 6''' of May reports that the Brest Fleet with a
considerable Body of Troops on board was sailed some
imagined for America others to make a Descent in Ireland
Admirals Hawke & Moysten were also sailed. His Majesty
was gone to visit his German Dominions —

Letter Bk. \. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p- 13s

July 5"' 1755 by Capt. Sutton from Potuxent —
Sir

Inclosed is a Copy of my last, since the Date of that I have
received Advice that Fifteen more of our distant Inhabitants
are killed or carried away by Indians a party of whom have
been seen not far from Conegogeek which is near 100 Miles
within our Settlements. The Lower House still persevere in
their Obstinacy & I beleive will never recede from what they
have been contending for tho Half the Province should be
depopulated. They have not yet addressed me to be pro-
rogued but I expect they will to morrow morning & twill be
absolutely to no purpose ever to meet them again. I have not
since beared from the General but I am not without Apprehen-
sions that he will be obliged to desert the Fort when he has
taken it for want of Provisions which he cannot now expect
from these Colonies: in that Case I fear the French will

p. 136 again take possession of that Country & then Let the General's
Success be ever so great, we shall be in as bad if not a worse
situation than we were last Winter. The Sheveralty of Calvert
Cty will soon become vacant. M' & M'' Graham did & have
always received ^50. p Ann. from the present Sheriff to whom
twas given on that Consideration, M' Young has been with
me desiring I will permit him to appoint the next that he may
continue to receive the fifty pounds a year which M" Young
tells him I have his Lordships Orders to grant M"' Skinner of
Calvert C'^ at the same time expects the next Sheveralty
in Consequence of the Letter you gave him to me unsealed,

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 239

he is not one who would make any Allowance out of the Income Letter Bk. i.
therefore I am at a Loss what measures to pursue so as
to offend neither, I hope you will favour me with your
Directions & that I shall receive them before the time that
I shall be obliged to make any Alteration — M' Tasker tells me
he has sent you the whole Ace' of IVr Hide's Affairs with the
late Lord Baltimore & what was done therein by him as Agent.
I am unwilling to write to his Ldp unless I had better News to
acquaint him with wherefore I shall defer it till I again address
myself to you & in the mean time am S' &c —

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.] p. gs

luly 6. 1755.

Our Assembly is still sitting having yet done Nothing in
Compliance with my Recommendation or Requests. The old
Obstacles occur & will I beleive oblige me to prorogue the
Assembly to Morrow.

By Letters from our Back Inhabitants that have been
received since those mentioned in my last Letter I am
informed that 15 more of the distant Setlers have been killed
or carried away prisoners & that a Party of Indians were seen
the 29"" Ult TOO Miles within our Setlements. I am satisfied
the Assembly will never recede from the points that his Ldps
Instructions oblige me to insist on tho half the province should
be depopulated ; & to see the poor Inhabitants who are near
the frontiers in such distressed Circumstances with' being able
to releive or protect them gives me great Concern & uneasi-
ness; besides I am not without Apprehensions that when Gen'
Braddock has taken the French Forts on the Ohio the French
will immediately recover & repossess them, for without Com-
pulsion these Colonies will not support a Garrison there or
supply it with Ammunition or provisions —

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

July 8.
Sr

The inclosed Packett I have just rec"* from Gov'' Morris.
Our Assembly is still sitting but I beleive I shall be obliged to
prorogue them to Day as they seem determined to grant no
Supplies not even for the protection of our Frontiers on which
parties of Indians are daily committing Depredations. I have
Ace" of their having killed & carried away 26 of our distant
Inhabitants & that a party of them have been seen not far
from Conegogeek near 100 Miles within our Settlements.

Letter Bk. I.
p. 136

240 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]
transmitted by Virg^ dated 9 July. [1755]

Sir

As I am dispatching an Express to Virg-^ I request the
favour of Gov' Dinwiddie to put this on Board the first Ship
that sails, to acquaint you that finding the Burgesses determined
to do nothing either for his Majesty's Service or their own
Protection unless the Points for which they have been con-
tending were given up to them, I prorogued our Assembly
yesterday Evening after they had twice requested me to be
dismissed in the Course of the Session they presented me
with a furious Address against Roman Catholicks which you
will see inclosed: as I thought it contained some indecent
Reflections I thought it improper to let it pass unanswered as
you will aso see by the papers herewith transmitted. The
Occasion of it was the late preferment of the Attorney General
(who unhappily is no Favourite with the People) to the Naval
'37 Office of Potuxent. I beleive too their warmth was increased
by some Letters writ hither some time since intimating that if
M' Hanbury had not prevented it you would have got M''
Darnal appointed to a Seat in the Council, for my part I have
not heard but the Papists behave themselves peaceably and as
good Subjects, They are I imagine about one twelfth of the
People & many of them are Men of pretty considerable
Fortunes; I conceive their Numbers do not increase tho I
have reason to think the greater part of the Germans which
are imported profess that Religion. As the Lower House
first resolved that all the Penal Laws mentioned in the Toller-
ation Act are in force within this Province, tho some of them
have been entirely & others in part repealed by later Acts of
Parliament, I declined granting the Request in the Conclusion
of their Address lest the Courts should govern themselves in
some sort by the Resolve of the Lower House of Assembly &
a fiery Persecution should ensue. This Part of my Conduct
will not I hope be disapproved of by his Lordsp or yourself, & I
hope you will think that nothing has been left undone to bring
the Assembly to Reason & Temper tho our Endeavours have
failed of Success. A Bill for an Agent was sent to the Upper
House but immediately rejected. Gov' Moris informs me that
all his Endeavours have proved equally unsuccessful & that he
cannot think of meeting the Assembly of that province again
unless some Reformation be first made in their Constitution.
We are advised from the Northern Gov'" that the French Fleet
consisting of 6 Men of War & 9 large Transports with 4000
Land Forces on board are in the Harbour of Louisburg, &
that Admiral Boscawen lies before that Town with 13 Capital
Ships. Gov' Dinwiddie also informs me that two parties of

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 241

Indians & French amounting together to about 1 30 Men have Letter Bk.
been seen in the Frontier Counties where they have destroyed
9 Families & plundered & burnt their Habitations. He
acquaints me too that the General Assembly of that Gov' have
granted ^loooo more for the Service of the Expedition to be
raised by a Land Tax of 1 5"* -p 100 Acres 1 5^^ on every Taxable
negroe, & 10 -p C' on Negroes imported; they have also
impowered the Governor to raise 200 Men for the Protection
of their Frontiers ag"' the Incursions & Ravages of the French
& Indians & he is raising two Companies of Rangers accord- p. 138
ingly. from our receiving no Letters from the General since
those dated the 22 of lune we Apprehend that those Indian
Parties have cut off the Communication between him & Fort
Cumberland & taken the Carriers. I am about to depart for
Frederickton (where I have given Orders for all the Military
Officers of that C'^' to meet) to try what can be done with the
Militia for the Defence & Protection of our distant Inhabitants,
I propose to draft a Company of 60 or 80 from the Militia by
Lot & oblige them to keep ranging on the Frontiers for a few
Months without any Pay. Provisions they must impress &
take it where it can be found & if money be ever granted, the
People from whom it is taken must be satisfied for the same.
Unless some such Step be taken The people will not be per-
suaded to stay on their plantations being already struck with
an universal pannick — The Representatives for Frederick &
some of the other C'^'^ on this side the Bay would have gladly
done any thing to obtain Assistance & protection but as the
Gent" whose Counties are not so immediately exposed did not
so sensibly feel for the Sufferings of the poor people as they
would were they less retired from Danger all propositions for
an Accommodation were vain & fruitless. The Laws are
transcribed as low down as 1 749 so that I hope to have them
bound & fit to be sent by the very next Opportunity —

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

lulyg"^ 1755 —
MyLd

Inclosed is a Duplicate of the last Lett' that I took the Lib-
erty to address to your Ldp & I heartily wish the Contents of
what I am now writing were more agreeable than the news
that I then communicated. When the Gent" of the Lower
House came to the Resolutions that your Lordship was before
advised of I was not without hopes that they would fall on
some unexceptionable Means to raise a small Sum of Money
for the protection of your Lordships Tenants who are exposed

242 Correspondence of Goveriior Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. to the Incroachments & Devastations of the French & their
Savages by whom 26 of the Distant Inhabitants have already
perished however I with sorrow find that they will set nothing
p. 139 in Competition with the points for which they have been con-
tending & that the Lives & Safeties of the people must submit
to their Caprice & Humour finding it was impossible to
prevail on them to grant any Supplies or make such Provision
as it was my Duty to sollicit & as common Prudence &
Humanity should have inclined them to give, I complied with
their repeated Request by proroguing the Assembly to January
next when your Ldp's Council will advise farther to prorogue
them unless your Ldp shall in the mean time be pleased to
signify your pleasure to the Contrary. Gov' Morris advises
me that the Assembly of that Province have behaved & con-
cluded their Session just in the same manner, & are determined
to abide by their former Resolutions unless they be compelled
to recede by some superiour Authority. I have also received
a Letter from Cover" Dinwiddle wherein he tells me that the
Assembly of that Dominion have granted ^i 0000 more for the
Encouragement of the Expedition & upon receiving Intelli-
gence from their Frontier Cties that two parties of Indians &
French amounting together to about 1 30 Men had been seen
there & had destroyed 9 Families & burnt their Habitations,
they have also impowered him to raise 200 Men for the Pro-
tection of the Distant Settlements : As no other Hopes now
remain I am about to set off for Frederick to try what can be
done with the Militia of that Cty whose Officers are ordered to
meet, & I intend to have 80 Men furnished from their several
Companies by Lot or otherwise which I shall form into one
Company of Rangers & impress Victuals according to the
Directions of the Militia Act for their Subsistance till the
Barbarians shall decline to infest our Borders. We learn by
the Way of Phil^" that the French Fleet consisting it is said of
6 Men of War & 9 large Transports with 4000 Land Forces
are in the Harbour of Louisburg & that Admiral Boscawen
with 1 3 Sail of the Line lies before that place. We hope very
shortly to hear from General Braddock at Fort Du Ouesne &
from Oswego on Ontario Lake where Gov"^ Shirley with the
Troops under his Command must we expect be by by this time
arrived —

Letter Bk. II. fSharpe to Braddock.]

P-99 "- T , V,

July 9'^ 1755—
S'

I am exceedingly sorry to be under a necessity of acquainting
you that our Assembly broke up yesterday without making
any provision either for the uses for which money was required

Correspondence of Governor Sharp e. 243

by your Letter of the 22'^ of May or for the Support of the Letter Bk.
Maryland Company that is now with you, indeed so infatuated
& averse to giving money were they that they have refused to
grant the least Sum towards the protection of our Frontiers &
the distant Inhabitants 26 of whom have been killed & carried
away by Indian Parties since you left Fort Cumberland, This
Obstinacy of theirs has rendered me unable to make any more
Remittances to Capt Dagworthy or his Company of which I
have informed him & advised him to wait on you for Orders
what to do with his Men or what part to act himself. I propose
to set out for Frederick in a Day or two & try what can be
done with the Militia the House of Assembly would persuade
them that the Law is not in force but I shall endeavour to shew
them that I entertain different Sentiments with respect to that
matter. By Letters from the Northward I am informed that
the Brest Squadron consisting of 4 Men of War & 20 Trans-
ports with 4000 Land Forces on board were arrived at Louis-
burg & that Admiral Boscawen was also before that place with
Ten Capital Ships & expected to be joined by 3 more of his
Fleet who had lost him in the passage, there is great Reason
to beleive they are not extremely well supplied with Provision
on Acco' of the Embargo that was laid in Ireland : if so they
must soon be greatly distressed as some late Laws that have
been made by these several provinces have prevented the
Exportation of any Supplies hence to Cape Breton —

[Sharpe to Capt. Orme.]

July 9'" 1755—
S^ .

I have writ to inform the General of my ill Success with our
Assembly who broke up Yesterday without making any Pro-
vision for the Service & uses for which the General asked
Money of this & the two neighbouring Provinces, by this
Event 1 am rendered unable to support or make any more
Remittances to Capt Dagworthy or his Company of which I
have acquainted him & advised him to wait on you to receive
the General's Orders for the Disposal of himself & the Men
under his Command. While our people had the General's
Letter under Consideration we received Intelligence that some
Parties of Indians had made Incursions & killed or carried
away 26 of the Inhabitants who dwelt a few miles from Fort
Cumberland, upon which I would have persuaded them to
impower me to raise & support a Company of Rangers for the
Protection of the Frontiers, but they refused to grant any
money for that or any other purpose, which Resolution I
beleive they will never recede from tho Half the Province

244 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. should be depopulated, unless the Legislature of G Britain
shall think proper to interfere & compel us to take proper
measures for our own preservation. I am about to set off for
Frederick to try what can be done with the Militia ; while I
am there I hope I shall be able to get that Man apprehended
in which case I shall send him to Fort Cumberiand with a
Letter to Coll Innes to forward him to you by the first Oppor-
tunity— Yours of the 22'' ult was the last Lett' that has been
rec^ from the Camp, we shall begin to be in daily Expectation
of receiving better news from you than we can write hence
which you may be assured will much rejoice

[Sharpe to Capt. Dagworthy.]

S'&c

July g"'

Sir

I am sorry to acquaint you that the Resolutions of the
Assembly which was prorogued yesterday has put it out of my
power to support your Company any longer or to make you
any farther Remittances, the last Sum that was sent by M'
Hopkins I advanced on the publick Credit not imagining that
I should find so great Difficulty in getting myself reimbursed
or in procuring farther Supplies, but as I find myself disap-
pointed in any hopes I might have entertained from the
Assembly's meeting I have writ to acquaint the General there-
with & to desire him to give you such Orders as he shall think
proper for your own Conduct or for the Disposal of your Com-
pany, which you will I doubt not readily obey. Any Services
in my power I shall always readily do yourself & the Gent"
under your Command & on all Occasions shew myself your
Friend & wellwisher

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

luly 10 —
S'

Y'' dated the 5"* Inst, with several Letters which shall be
dispatched to the Northward I have received, in answer thereto
I must with concern acquaint you that I was obliged to pro-
rogue our Assembly yesterday who after more than a fortnights
Consideration came to a Resolution that they would grant no
Supplies in compliance with General Braddocks Sollicitation,
nor any money to be expended for the Defence & Protection
of our Frontiers tho we were advised that 26 of our Back
Inhabitants have been killed & carried away Prisoners since
the 22'* of June. So peremptory was their Refusal that I can-
102 not think of meeting them again unless the Legislature of

Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe. 245

G Britain shall first interpose & remove all Occasion of Dis- Letter Bk. 11.
pute between us, in the mean time I shall endeavour to regu-
late our Militia as well as the Law will support me in doing &
I hope I shall be able to draft & form a Company of Eighty
out of them to range on our Extreme Borders to protect the
Frontiers; Provisions I shall order to be impressed where it
can be found, & for Subsistance they must trust to the
Generosity of some future & more benevolent Assembly. I
intend to go to Frederickton next week to review the Militia
& the Company of Rangers therefrom to be drafted before
they march. I had. besides defraying the Expence of the
Curriers advanced ^100, for the Subsistance of the Maryland
Company to this time hoping the Assembly would be prevailed
on to grant a small Sum from whence I might be repaid but
as their late Conduct makes me dispair of being ever reim-
bursed, I have writ to the General & the Captain acquainting
them that I can make no more Remittances for the Support of
the Company, which I therefore hope the General will order
to be divided between the Regiments. I have received a
Lett' from Gov' Morris dated the 3^* Inst, in which he gives
me just such an Ace' of the Event of his Assembly's Meeting
as I have given you of Ours, & in every part of it he expresses
Despair of seeing it otherwise till a great Reformation be
made in that Gov' When Col° Innes writ to me the 22'' of
lune since which time I have received no Lett' from the Camp,
his Garrison consisted of 22 Men 30 of them sick, there were
also left with him at Fort Cumberland 50 Invalids from the
European Regiments I beleive he thinks the Garrison full
small & will be glad of your Reinforcement which (as you
know my Condition & that I must pay from my own purse for p. 103
the Conveyance of Ammunition to the Militia) will I hope
receive your Orders to convoy up the Stores that you mention
& I apprehend they would be carried with less Danger by
Land than by Water. Gov' Shirley advised me before he left
Boston (I beleive he is eer this on his way from Albany to
Oswego) that the French Fleet from Brest was seen by several
Vessels a little to the Eastward of Cape Breton & that certain
Intelligence had been brought to Boston of Admiral Bosca-
wen's being at S' lohns in Newfoundland with 10 Capital Ships
3 of his squadron having seperated from him in the passage;
Gov' Morris in his Lett' says "last night we had Ace" that the
French Fleet with 4000 Land Forces were in the Harbour of
Louisburg & that Boscawen with 1 3 Ships of the Line was
before it, this news may I beleive be depended on tho it is not
absolutely certain," private Letters from Phil'' say the French
Fleet consists of 6 Men of War & 9 large Transports, there is
great reason to think that the Embargo which was laid in

246 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. II. Ireland on Provisions made them sail before they could be
extremely well supplied, if so they will I suppose soon be dis-
tressed at Louisburg especially as the Northern Gov'^ have laid
an Embargo for one Month on all Ships that are laden with
Provisions unless such be wanted for the British Fleet or the
Nova Scotia Forces. I thank you for remitting me the Bill
that was inclosed, Your Kindness in putting my Packett for
England on board the first Ship that sails & forwarding the
Letter to the Commodore will much oblige &c.

Lib. J. R. flames Innes (to Fairfax?)!

&. v. s. '-■' '-^

P- 57

Letter Bk. L
p. 140

LetterBk. II.
p. 104

Sir: I have this Moment received the Melancholy Account
of the Defeat of our Troops, the General kill'd and Numbers
of our Officers, our whole Artillery taken ; In short the Account
I have Received is so very bad, that, as please God I intend to
make a stand here, its highly necessary to raise the Militia
everywhere to defend the Frontiers

Your humble serv'
Fort Cumberland July ii'" 1755 James Innes

To all to whom this may Concern

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

luly 1 3"" p Capt Spencer
S'

The inclosed will shew you what is already done & now in
Action to the Northward, the papers from whence you have
the Transcript were brought last night by a Gent who came
immediately hither from New York. I apprehend the Accounts
may be depended on & that I shall have the News confirmed
by Express this Afternoon. A few Days since we were in-
formed by Letters from the Camp that General Braddock with
the Troops under his Command was the first Inst within 25
Miles of Fort Du Ouesne which place he hoped to see in 4 or
5 Days, they had lost only 4 men on their march from Fort
Cumberland 3 of whom were scalped by Indians & one carried
off alive. No Enemy had been seen by them for 3 Days —

[Sharpe to William Sharpe.]

AnnapoHs luly 13. 1755 — W"" Sharpe Esq.
D^B'

By Letters from General Braddock's Camp dated the 1=' of
this Month we are informed that the Troops under his Com-
mand were at that time within 25 Miles of Fort Du Ouesne

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 247

which they hoped to see in 4 Days from that time. They had Letter Bk. 11.
lost only 4 Men on their March from Fort Cumberland by the
Enemy. The Indians have not been quite so favourable to our
Distant Inhabitants & those who dwelt in the frontier Cties of
Virg'* We heard some time ago that 2 parties of them have
been seen in that Dominion where they have cut off 9 Families
& I have particular Ace" that 26 of our Back Seders have
met with the same Fate. They are raising 2 Companies of
Rangers in Virg^ for the Protection of their Frontiers but in
vain have I applied to our Assembly for means to protect ours
also. Gov' Shirley with the Remainder of his own & S' W""
Pepperells Regiment sailed from New York for Albany about •
a week since. I suppose they are e'er this on their march to
Oswego, from the Northern Gazettes which are just brought
hither we learn that the N England Troops that sailed to Nova
Scotia in May had been joined by some of the Regulars there
& had taken the French Fort lately called Beau Sejour, at the
HeadoftheBayof Fundy, when it surrendered the 16"' of June
there were found therein 24 Cannon some of them 1 2 pounders
together with a great plenty of Ammunition & Provisions.
The two French Garrisons on Bay Verte had on the news of
Beau Sejour's being taken sent to Capitulate. From Boston
we are advised that one Capt Jones arrived there the 25"^ of
June from Hallifax & informs them that the 20'*" of that month
Capt Spry in his Majestys Ship Fogena brought in there the
Alcide a French Ship of War of 64 Guns taken by Admiral
Boscawen's Squadron off Louisburg. The English Fleet had
also taken the Lys a 74 Gun Ship with 8 Companies of French
Troops on Board, several Officers & Engineers & the Military
Chest. Capt Spry also carried in with him a French Brigan- p- 105
tine & a Schooner.

Admiral Boscawen continues to cruize between Cape Sable
& the Gulf of S' Lawrence & has sent Expresses it is said for
all his Majestys Ships in N America to join him.

[Innes to Dinwiddle.] Original.

Honou'^ S''

My letter of the 18''' lune brough you the Defenceless situa-
tion that I was left in here notwithstanding in all this time I
have not seen the feace of one Single Person come here
as Militia from Either Virginea or Marey Land either to
strengthen the Defence of the Place or to be readdey as
Escorts for sending Out with Provisions. Depending upon
some Succers I have from time to time Detatch'^ party after
party to the Army so that I now have verey few reall healthy
men to do the Dewty.

248 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

This Dismall news brought down here on the Eleventh
Curr" Fryday att Noon, oblig'' me to send it as it came to my
Ears from Waggoners & such people

I was surpris'^ not to have some Messenger sent me from the
Armie with accountt that I might depend upon which Oblig''
me to send a Boey on purpose next day and gave him one of
the best & freshest horses I hade here & this moment he is
return*^ with much the same Accounts.

His Horse giving Out he could proceed no forrder then the
Little Meadows 25 miles from this all the Accounts I gett
from him is relaited by the Waggoners & much to the same
purport as att first, that the Gener" & maney officers are
kilP & halfe of our Soldiers, with most of the Artilery Taken
by the Indeens. But not in this time having aney Accountts
from the Armie gives me hope things cannot be so verey Bad
with us.

However I think it is hily requsite and full time that the
Militia in the three Neighbouring Provinces should beimediately
Draughted & Sent out to there Assistance Horses & Wag-
gons will be absoludy needfull Three or Four Thowsand
Men will absolutely carrie Victuary before us, when five times
the number in a litle time hence will not do. All which I most
Humbly Submitt, you may depn'd as soon as I receive aney
Accounts I shall forward them. You may leakways Depent
Pleas God. I live I will do my best to maintain this Post.

I Am Your
Hon^^ Most Obed' Hu" Ser"
Fort Cumberland James Innes

13"^ July 1755

To the Hon"'= Gov"' Dinwiddle.

[Innes to Sharpe.]
Sir

Herewith I send your Exel^^ a Coppie of my letter to Gov-
ernor Dinwiddie which is the fullest accountts I am able to gett
I am this instant getting another Person & another horse to
send out to the Armie with directions not to returne without
some Acc'"^

Your Ex-^y Mos" Obed' Hu'''^ Serv"
Fort Cumberland James Innes

13"- July 1755

P. S. the Action is said to be on
the S'"' Curr" & within four miles
of the French Fort.

To The Hon'"^ Hor° Sharp Esq'

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 249

[Sharpe to Morris.] Letter bu.

July 15"^ 1755—

The inclosed was just now sent me from Marlbro whither it
was brought from Belhaven yesterday I have not rec*^ any
Letters from the General or the Camp since the 22'' of lune
but one M'^ who belongs to the Train [in a Lett' to a

Gent" of this Town dated near the Great Meadows the first of
this Month says on the 9"" of last Month the whole Army
(except 600 Men with S' lohn S' Clair who marched two Days
before) went from Wills-Creek & with infinite Difficulty thro
the worst Roads in the world arrived 10 Days afterwards at
the little Meadows where an Abatie was made by S' lohn &
two Engineers encircling the whole Camp. Here the whole
halted 3 Days ; then the Barronet with his party moved for-
wards & the 2"^ Day after the General with 4 Howitzers, 4
twelve Pounders, 13 Artillery Waggons besides Ammunition
Carts followed him & have kept marching on ever since ; &
this Evening tis expected His Excellency will be within 25
miles of the Fort. Colo Dunbar with the Remainder of the
Army, four Artillery Officers, 84 Carriages with Ordnance
Stores & all the Provision Waggons form the Rear amongst
whom I have the honour to be — The Night before last we were
alarmed 4 different times by the skulking Indians on whom our
Out Guards & Gentries fired. We have had 3 People scalpt
but it happened thro their own Imprudence in loitering behind
too far, Tis said this morning the General has had Advice
that 500 Regulars are in full March to the Fort which is the p. 106
Reason his determined to be there before them. As we have
had but very little fresh Provisions since we left the Fort at
Wills Creek the Officers as well as the private men have been
& still are extremely ill with the Flux many have dyd. To
Morrow morning we march again & are to encamp on the
Western Side of the Great Meadows. From hence we are to
proceed after the Gen' but am fearful it will not be before we
have built some Fortification there & left a strong Party of
Men with a great Deal of Provisions & Artillery Stores, our
Horses being so weak for want of Food & Rest that it is
impossible for the whole Rear to join the Front in 25 Days.]
The Gent" of this Province are subscribing liberally towards
the support of 200 or 300 Men I shall sett off for Frederick
in 2 Days —

250 Correspo7idence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter 13k. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p. 140

July 15 1755. transmitted by Capt. Spencer.
S^

This Morning I rec'' from Alexandria a Copy of a Letf
from which the inclosed is transcribed as this is the only Intelli-
gence we have rec"* of the Affair therein mentioned & as Col°
Innes expresses himself in such general Terms I know not
what to think tho I am apprehensive that the Enemy have
actually fallen upon the Army divided & defeated some or all
of the Divisions. I have myself rec"* no Letter from the
General or the Camp since that dated the 22'' of June but a
Person belonging to the Train in a Letf to a Gent" of this
place dated the first of this Month at their Camp near the
Great Meadows expresses himself in the following manner,
On the g'*" of last Month the whole Army (except 600 Men
with S' I S' Clair who marched 2 Days before) went from
Wills Creek, & with infinite Difficulty thro the worst Roads in
the world arrived 10 Days afterwards at the little Meadows
where an Abatie was made by S' John & 2 Engineers encircling
the whole Camp, here the whole halted 3 Days, then the Bar'
with his party moved forwards & the 1^ Day after the General
with 4 Howitzers, 4. 12 Pounders, 13 Artillery Waggons,
p. ,41 besides Ammunition Carts followed him & have kept marching
on ever since & this Evening tis expected his Excell"'' will be
within 25 Miles of the Fort Colonel Dunbar with the Re-
mainder of the Army, 4 Artillery Officers 84 Carriages with
Ordnance Stores & all the Provision Waggons form the Rear,
amongst whom I have the honor to be, tho contrary to my
Inclination, as all the Sport will be over long before we can
reach the General. The night before last we were alarmed 4
different times by the Skulking Indians on whom our out
Guards & Gentries fired we have had 3 people scalpt but it
happened thro their own imprudence in loitering behind too
far, Tis said this morning the General has had Advice that
500 Regulars are in full march to the Fort which is the Reason
he is determined to be there before em. As we have had but
very litde fresh Provisions since we left the Fort at Wills
Creek the Officers as well as the private Men have been &
still are extreemly ill with the Flux & many have died. To
morrow morning we march again & are to encamp on the
Western Side of the Great Meadows, thence we are to pro-
ceed after the General but am fearful it will not be before
we have built some Fortification there & left a strong Party of
Men with a great Deal of Provisions & Artillery Stores, our
Horses being so weak for want of Food & Rest that it is im-
possible for the whole Rear to join the Front in 25 Days.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 251

You will suppose the News of General Braddocks defeat has Letter Bk. i.
thrown the People into the greatest Consternation I have
called the Gent" of the Council to take their Advice & writ
Circulary Letters to have the Slaves, Convicts &c well observed
& watched & given Orders for the Militia of the several C""
to be prepared to quell it in case any Insurrection should be
occasioned by this Stroke, we are encouraging Subscriptions
among the Gent" & People for the Defence & protection of
the Frontiers, whereby I hope & expect to be enabled to raise
a hundred or two Men in a very few Days, if the Burgesses in
the several Cties do not oppose it as they lately did & per-
suaded the people that if the Gov' should raise Money by such p- 142
Methods they must not hope to have any more Assemblies
convened but that the people must expect & obey Orders of
Council & Ordinances instead of Laws made by their Repre-
sentatives & with their own Consent, thus may these Tribunes
impose on the weak minds of the People & while they delude
them with the empty sounds of Liberty & Priveledge most
effectually contribute to their Destruction & the Loss of His
Majestys Dominions indeed if the French w"^ determine to
make the greatest use of their Victory I question whether 2000
Regular Troops with as many Indians would not descend to
the Bay of Chesopeak such an opinion have I of our Militia
w'^'' are about 18000 & any Force that can be mustered in Vir^
to oppose them. While the above was writing a Gent from
Potowmack came & informed me that the Courrier who
brought the fatal News to Coll Innes said also that S' Peter
Halkett was among the slain & that S' I S' Clair had lost an
Arm & was much wounded & also said that Col° Dunbar with
the Rear & Baggage Guard consisting of ab' 700 was retreating
to Fort Cumberland, of the safety or Escape of any of the Rest
I despair if what he further relates be true that with the French
Regulars that attacked the Gen' there were not less than 2000
Indians —

fSharpe to Dinwiddle.] Letter Bk. n.

p. 107
luly 15''' 1755 To Gov'' Dinwiddle —
S'

I have just now received a Copy of a Lett' directed to all
whom it may concern which was sent by Col° Innes to Lord
Fairfax the 1 1'*" Inst. & by him forwarded to you. The Gent"
belonging to the Nova Scotia Regiments (who having not yet
received any Letters from those two who went to wait on the
General remain still in Town) have been with me desiring my
Advice or Directions for their Conduct; as they were only

252 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. ordered by their Instructions to receive & execute General
Braddocks Commands, by this unhappy news they are entirely
at a Loss what to do or how to act : they will tarry here at
least to see if the melancholly Account be confirmed or till you
can signify what you would have them do. If many Officers
should be lost ought they not to offer their Service to the Regi-
ments & raise men to compleat them instantly but in that
Case where can they have money for they have not permission
to draw on any Account whatever. I observe Col° Innes says
all the Artillery is taken but as he does not mention any
particulars nor by what means he received the Intelligence I
know not what to think of the Affair, inclosed you have the
last Ace" we have reC* from whence perhaps you may form
some Judgment how it happened. Our Gent" are making
subscriptions for the Defence of our Frontiers which will
enable me I hope to have 100 or 200 men in arms within
a very few Days for that purpose. You will not delay I hope
to send your Opinion to me concerning the Gent" whom I
mentioned above & at whose Request I have taken this Oppor-
p. los tunity of Addressing you. Be pleased also to inform me
whether or when you dispatch a Vessel with this news to Eng-
land w'''' will oblige —

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

lulyiy. 1755

By the inclosed which is transcribed from a Lett' that I have
this Inst received you will see w' foundation or Grounds Col°
Innes had for writing the Lett' of w"'' you will find a Copy in
mine dated the 1 5 Inst. I leave it to yourself to judge w' might
have happened or how far that Acco' ought to be credited &
related.

Mem" Copies of these two last Lett" were sent to M' W"
Sharpe

Original. [Orme to Sharpe.]

Fort Cumberland luly 18"' 1755.
My Dear Sir

I am so extremely ill in bed with the wound I have reciev'd
in my thigh that I am under the necessity of employing my
friend Cap' Dobson to write for me.

I conclude you have had some account of the action near the
Banks of the Monongahela about seven miles from the French
Fort, as the reports spread are very imperfect what you have
heard must consequently be so to. You should have had more

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 253

early accounts of it but every officer whose business it was to
have informed you was either killed or wounded, and our
destressfull situation put it out of our powers to attend to it so
much as we would otherwise have done.

The 9"" Instant we passed and repass'd the Monongahela by
advancing first a party of 300 men which was immediately
follow 'd by another of 200, the General with the Column of
Artilery, Baggage and the main Body of the Army passed the
river the last time about one o'clock ; As soon as the whole
had got on the Fort side of the Monongahela we heard a very
heavy and quick fire in our front, we immediately advanced
in order to sustain them, but the Detatchment of the 200 and
300 men gave way and fell back upon us which caused such
confusion and struck so great a Pannick among our men that
afterwards no military expedient could be made use of that had
any effect upon them ; the men were so extremely deaf to
the exhortations of the General and the officers that they fired
way in the most irregular manner all their amunition and
then run off leaving to the Enemy the Artilery amunition Pro-
vision and Baggage nor could they be perswaded to stop till
they got as far as Guust Plantation, nor these only in part
many of them proceeding even as far as Coll Dunbars party
who lay six miles on this side; The officers were absolutely
sacrafised by their unparalel'd good behaviour, advancing some-
times in bodys & sometimes seperately hoping by such example
to engage the Soldiers to follow them, but to no purpose.

The General had five horses shot under him and at last
receiv'd a wound through his right arm into his Lungs of which
he died the i8"» Ins' Poor Shirley was shot thro' the head,
Cap' Morris wounded, M' Washington had two horses shot
under him and his cloaths shot thro in several places behaving
the whole time with the greatest courage and resolution. S'
Peter Halket was killed upon the spot Coll Burton and S' John
S' Clair wounded, & Inclosed I have sent you a list of the
Killed and wounded according to as exact an account as we
are yet able to get.

Upon our proceeding with the whole convoy to the Little
Meadows it was found impracticable to advance in that manner,
the General therefore advanced with twelve hundred men with
the necessary Artilery amunition & provision leaving the
main body of the convoy under the Command of Coll Dunbar
with orders to joyn him as soon as possible, in this manner
we proceeded with safety and expedition till the fatal day I
have just related and happy it was that this disposition was
made otherwise the whole must have either starved or fallen
into the hands of the Enemy as numbers would have been of
no service to us, and our provision was all lost.

254 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

As our number of horses were so much reduced and those
extremely weak, and many carriages being wanted for the
wounded men, occasion'd our destroying the amunition and
superfluous part of the provision left in Coll Dunbars Convoy
to prevent its falling into the hands of the Enemy.

As the whole of the Artilery is lost and the troops are so
extremely weakened by Deaths, Wounds and Sickness it was
judged impossible to make any further Attempts, therefore
Coll Dunbar is returning to Fort Cumberland with every thing
he is able to bring with him

I propose remaining here till my wound will suffer me to
remove to Philadelphia from thence shall make all possible
despatch to England, whatever commands you may have for
me you will do me the favour to direct to me here

I am with the greatest Sincerety
Your most obedient and most
Humble Servant
P^
Rob' Orme

By the Particular desposition
of the French and Indians it is
impossible to judge of the numbers
they had that Day in the Field

As the Generals Chariot is to be desposed
of I should be glad to know if you would have it
again, it has been at this place since our departure from hence,
if you propose taking of it again I will send it to you & bring
the Generals Coach back. Cap' Morris compliments attend
you with M' Washingtons.

P. S: Writing to you as a friend I flatter myself you will
excuse the hurry in which this is wrote.

To The Hon*"'' Governor Sharpe.

Original. [Peters to Sharpe.]

Sir

Was the Governor at home he woud make your Excellency
his very hearty Acknowledgments for your Goodness in dis-
patching to him the Letters that came by Capt" Slade.

Permit me to do this for him & to inform you that the Mes-
senger arrivd here last night Tho the Letters are of an old
Date yet they contain matters of Consequence respecting this
Province & what we had not heard before. The Governor
orderd me In his absence to open all publick Letters in order
to know whether they shoud be forwarded or not. Upon these
Directions I opened these and find that the mres in difference

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 255

between the Gov' & his Assembly were heard by Council
before the Lords of Trade on the sixth Day of May last &
their Lordship have reported in favour of the Governor unani-
mously & affectionately and I hope all Parties will subside &
enter for the future into no other Contest th° who shall do the
publick the most Service.

There is reason to think that two French Fleats and two
English ones are arrivd and will knock heads together if they
have not done it already. The French force is said to be 26
Capital Ships and the English Thirty two men of war besides
Station Ships. Putting all the accounts together I think this
may be reasonably deducd from them tho not w"' absolute
certainty.

We have no later news from the General than from his
Camp on the 30"" distant 35 miles from Fort Duquesne when
all were well & in high spirits & full of Provisions.

I have the pleasure to assure you that by last Post the Gov'
of New York wrote to our Gov' the agreable news of the
whole Body of the Six Nations having declared in favour of
his Majesty & his Arms & more offerd to joyn the Army than
the several Legislatures had provided for joyful news this w"""
you will please to transmit to Gov' Dinwiddle.

General Shirley is by this time at the carrying place between
the Mohocks River & wood Creek running into the Onondago
River. One Galley is already launchd of 36 Feet Keel and
two more near being ready.

All looks well hitherto ; if the General finds no opposition
as I suspect he will not much, it appears to me that all the
Force of Canada has vanishd away in an Instant, for we hear
of none at Crown Point, none at Cataracqui none at Niagara,
all are said to be on the Ohio & from there we have no
accounts of any being arriv'd.

This may perhaps be the Case, that they have expected
from France a General & Army and woud not come to any
Determination untill the Arrival of the Reinforcements, now
th' they find these are retarded by the vigilance of the English
Ministry they have sent their forces to the several Places of
their Destination & the dry weather has prevented the Water
Conveyance

I am Your Excellencys

Most obedient
humble Servant
Richard Peters
Philad-

18 July 1755.

256 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpc to Robinson.]

P- "3

Bladensburg. luly 23'' [1755]
R' Honourable

I am Sorry to have such an Occasion to write but as we have
a Ship just about to depart I embrace the Opportunity to
acquaint you that I have this Instant received a Letter from
Capt Orme (who is at Fort Cumberland ill of his wounds) in
which he gives me a brief Account of the unfortunate Engage-

p. 114 ment between the Troops commanded by General Braddock
& the French from Fort Du Ouesne on the Ninth Inst. In the
morning of that Day the General passed the Monongahela
twice the last time at about 7 miles from the French Fort ; a
Party of 300 men having passed the River advanced towards
the Fort & was immediately followed by another of 200, the
General with the Column of Artillery Baggage & the main
Body of the Army got over about One o Clock when they
heard a very heavy & quick Fire in the Front, the General
with the main Body immediately advanced in Order to sustain
them but the Advanced Detachments giving way & falling
back on the main Body caused great Confusion & struck the
Men with such a Pannick that afterwards no Military Expedient
which could be used had any Effect they were deaf to the
Exhortations of the General & the Officers who advancing
sometimes in Bodies & sometimes seperately were sacrificed
by the Soldiers declining to follow them. The General had
five Horses shot under him before he received a wound thro
his right arm into his Lungs of which he died the fourth Day
after. S"^ Peter Halkett & the General's Secretary were killed
on the Spot. S' lohn S' Clair is wounded but there is room
to hope he will recover. The inclosed is a particular Account
of the Officers that fell & of those that survived the Action,
the Number of private Centinels killed & wounded is about
600. At the Little Meadows (which lye about 25 Miles west-
ward from Fort Cumberland) The General finding it im-
practicable for all the Troops to advance farther together
selected 1200 of the best & proceeded with the necessary

p- "S Artillery Ammunition & Provision leaving the main Body of
the Convoy under the Command of Colonel Dunbar who had
Orders to join him as soon as possible. I collect from some
former Letters which I received from the Camp that the
General had only four Howitzers four 12 Lbs & 14 Cohorns
with him from the Train which with the Ammunition Baggage
& Provision are fallen into the hands of the Enemy. When
Col° Dunbar (who I have reason to apprehend was about 40
miles behind the General was apprized of this fatal Accident
finding the Troops extremely reduced & weakened by this

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 257

action & Sickness he judged it impossible to attempt any thing Letter Bk. 11.
farther with probability of Success & is returning to Fort
Cumberland with every thing that he is able to bring but as
his Horses were reduced & much enfeebled & many Carriages
wanted for the wounded men, to prevent their falling into the
hands of the Enemy he has destroyed most of the Ammu-
nition & the superfluous Provision that was left in his Care,
Capt Orme does not describe to me the Situation of the Place
where the Battle happened, how great was the Number of the
Enemy, whether they consisted principally of Regular Troops
or Indians or wherefore they permitted the English to bring
off their wounded He only says By the particular Disposition
of the French & Indians it is impossible to judge of the Num-
bers the Enemy had that Day in the Field. When I received
this account I was on my way to Fort Cumberland with a
number of Gent" & Voluntiers who had entered into an Asso-
ciation to bear Arms & protect our Frontiers where Indian
Parties have lately done much mischief, I shall now halt a
little & expend a Sum of money (which the Council & Gent" p. 116
of the Country had subscribed upon the Assembly's Refusal at
their last meeting to grant any Supplies) in purchasing a
quantity of fresh Provisions & such things as I think necessary
for the Troops & then Escort them with such men as I can
persuade to join me to Fort Cumberland where I expect to
find Col° Dunbar by that time arrived.f I am afraid Colonel
Dunbar will not proceed again to Action this summer for want
of a Train of Artillery & Ammunition neither do I think it will
be an easy matter to reinforce him speedily for tho there are not
I suppose in these 3 Colonies less than 80000 Men fit to bear
Arms yet for want of such a Militia Law as the Eastern Colonies
enjoy the Benefit of & our Assemblies will not hear of, the
People have no last or Notion of Arms or Military Duty &
fruitless are all our Endeavours to persuade them to unite their
force & exert it for their common safety —

A Letter was also sent at the same time to Lord
Albemarle which was litterally the same with the above
so far as arrived f it then proceeded as follows.

[Sharpe to Albemarle.]

" It grieves me to see near 20000 Men in this Province fit to
bear Arms & yet for want of an effectual Militia Law which
has been frequently recommended to our Assembly in vain
not 100 are obliged or to be prevailed on to Exort some
Provisions out or even to act in their own Defence. Thus
much I have writ to the Secretary of State but my Lord hoping

258 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. II. you will excuse the Liberty I presume to hint my Opinion
farther to your Lordship. You have been ee'r this informed
■what is doing to the Northward ; that Colonel Monkton has
succeeded in Nova Scotia to the utmost of his Expectations
we have lately had the Satisfaction to hear & we also entertain
very sanguine hopes that Colonel Johnson with the Provincial
Troops will make a successful Attempt on Crown Point (Fort
p. 117 Frederick) as we are told the Garrison therein is at tliis time
very inconsiderable, Governor Shirley's & S' W Pepperell's
Regiments are at this time engaged in making Oswego Fort
more defensible & in building Gallies on Ontario Lake whereby
it is hoped they will be Masters thereof & be enabled to make
an easy Descent on the French Fort at Niagara, but should
the French from the Ohio immediately reinforce their Garrison
at that place before Shirley can execute the Business or Part
he undertook to act at this time, his Enterprize may be also
rendered abortive & himself be obliged to act on the Defensive
only, however I entertain warm hopes that by fortifying on
Ontario Lake & building Vessels thereon he will secure the
Navigation thro it & cut off all Communication between Canada
& the Ohio by water. I think that the Militia Law which has
been lately made by the Legislature of New York will remove
& obviate any Difficulty that there might otherwise have been
in conveying him Provisions which I beleive are seldom scarce
in that Province & can be Water-born almost from N York to
Oswego. If the Ohio Garrison can be thus deprived of
Supplies from Canada I think they cannot but be greatly
distressed for want of Provision shortly, & will no doubt make
Incursions into & supply themselves from these three defence-
less Colonies which however we could easily prevent if our
People would but be persuaded of the Necessity of a Law to
regulate the Militia as I suppose Y"^ Ldp will think when you
are told that we have in this Province 18.000 Men fit to bear
Arms. Could some Artillery be procured & w*^ these Colonies
unite & exert themselves, the Season is not yet too far advanced
to pursue the General's plan by attacking Fort du Ouesne in
p. 118 the temperate months of 7'" 8''" & 9*=" but as we have no
Artihery in this Part of His Majestys Dominions, & there
being little Probability of the Colonies uniting or acting with
unanimity, I am afraid the Troops under the Command of
Colo. Dunbar will scarcely proceed to Action again before
Instructions can be received from England unless he marches
with some of them Northward to support Shirley or to Enfort
himself somewhere in the distant Parts of Pensilv^ near the
Easternmost Branch of the Ohio River. I am apt to think as
I above hinted that what the French will now have principally
in view & will leave no Stone unturned to accomplish is the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 259

making themselves masters of the Lake Ontario & indeed that Letter Bk. 11.
Acquisition seems to be of such Consequence or rather so
absolutely necessary for the well-being of their Troops on the
Ohio & elsewhere to the Southward that I shall not be sur-
prized to hear that they have bent the whole strength of
Canada against Governor Shirley, & tho they should not
succeed against him this summer yet I am persuaded that that
important Post will not be secured as it ought to be until!
General Shiriey be well succoured either from England or by
the Colonies

A Letter was also transmitted at the same time to
W" Sharpe Esq beginning as follows.

[Sharpe to William Sharpe.]
D' Brother

My Letter of the 15"" will I doubt not make you very impa-
tient & anxious to know what has been the Event of the
Engagement which happened between the Troops commanded
by General Braddock &c the same as the Lett' to Ld Balti-
more then proceeds: fress Provisions & such things as I think
necessary for the Troops & shall perhaps persuade some Men p. "9
to join & Escort them to Fort Cumberland if I do not proceed
thither myself, I shall soon be able to learn whether Colo
Dunbar will venture on action again before he receives Instruc-
tions from England or whether he determines to remain only
on the Defensive, if he is inclined to the first I suppose we
must meet our Assemblies once more & endeavour to get him
reinforced & a Sufficiency of Ammunition & Provisions. I do
not think the Season is yet too far advanced to make an
Attempt on the Fort before Winter if these Colonies will unite
& exert themselves & if a few Battering Pieces & Artillery
Stores can be timely got from New York. Now it is likely
these three Colonies will sensibly feel the want of a proper
Militia Law but I still despair of persuading the Assembly to
prepare one or of taking any other proper measure for the
Security or real welfare of their Country. Nothing has been
left untried by some of those Patriots to interrupt & prevent
the Subscription I before spoke of but I beleive notwithstanding
their Opposition ^2000 will be contributed by the Gent" for the
Support of a Company to range on our Frontiers, if Shirley
too should meet with any Disappointments on Ontario to what
a Condition will these Colonies thro the Obstinacy & Parcimony
of a few be brought & what a vast Acquisition will the French
have made on this Continent while we are infatuated to look
on as idle Spectators & as if we were not interested in the

26o Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. 11. Event of the Campaign. That the Enemy know the Value &
Importance of the Lakes I am fully persuaded as I am that
they will employ all the Force to render Shirley's Scheme
p. 120 abortive but I flatter myself that the Spirit of the Northern
Colonies will not let him want Succours & I have such an
Opinion of his Abilities as to think he will make the best use
of them. I have writ to Ld Albermarle the Lett' inclosed &
therein taken the Liberty to intimate my Opinion concerning
the present Posture of our Affairs on this Continent. I have
also transmitted a Lett' to S' Tho' Robinson by this same
conveyance —

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p- 143

Bladensburg luly 22,^ I755- transmitted by Capt a

Duplicate was sent to his Ldp at the same time by a
Ship to Bristol.

Sir

I am sorry to have such an Occasion to write but as we have
a Ship just about to sail I embrace the Opportunity to acquaint
you that I have this Instant received a Letter from Capt Orme
(who is at Fort Cumberland ill of his wounds) in which he
gives me a brief Account of the unfortunate Engagement
between the Troops commanded by General Braddock & the
French from Fort Du Ouesne on the 9''' Inst. In the morning of
that Day the General crossed the Monongahela twice the last
time at about 7 Miles from the French Fort: A Party of 500
Men having passed the River advanced toward the Fort &
was immediately followed by another of 200, the General with
the Column of Artillery Baggage & the main Body of the
Army got over about one o Clock when they heard a very
heavy & quick Fire in the Front, the General & the main
Body immediately advanced in Order to sustain them but the
two advanced Detachments giving way & falling back on the
main Body caused great Confusion & the Men were struck
with such a Pannick that afterwards no military Expedient
which could be used had any Effect they were deaf to the
Exhortations of the General & the Officers who advancing
sometimes in Bodies & sometimes seperately were sacrificed
by the Soldiers declining to follow them. The General had 5
Horses shot under him before he received a wound thro his
right Arm into his Lungs of which he died the fourth Day after
S' Peter Halkett & the Generals Secretary were killed on the
Spot S' lohn S' Clair is wounded but there is room to hope
he will recover the inclosed is a particular Account of the
Officers that fell & of those that survived the Action. The
Number of private Centinels killed & wounded is about

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 261

600. My Last Letter dated the \^^ will inform you that Letter Bk. i.
at the little Meadows the General finding it impracticable p- m4
for all the Troops to advance farther together selected 1 200
of the Best & proceeded with as much of the Artillery
Ammunition ik provision as he thought necessary leaving
the main Body of the Convoy under the Command of Colonel
Dunbar who had Orders to join him as soon as possible.
The four Howitzers & 4 twelve Pounders & 14 Cohorns that
the General had with him with the Ammunition Baggage
& Provision are fallen into the hands of the Enemy, when
Colonel Dunbar (who I have reason to apprehend was about
40 miles behind the General) was apprized of this fatal Accident
finding the Troops extremely reduced & weakened by this
Action & Sickness he judged it impossible to attempt any
thing with them at that time with Probability of Success is
returning to Fort Cumberland with every thing that he is able
to bring with him but as his Horses were reduced & much
enfeebled & many Carriages wanted for the wounded Men,
to prevent their falling into the hands of the Enemy he has
destroyed most of the Ammunition & the superfluous Provision
that was left to his Care Capt Orme does not describe to me
the Situation of the Place where the Battle happened how great
was the Number of the Enemy & whether they consisted
principally of regular Troops or Indians. When I received
this Account I was on my way to Fort Cumberland with a
Number of Gent" & Voluntiers who had entered into an Asso-
ciation to bear Arms & protect our Frontiers I shall now halt
at Frederickton & if I find the Troops are not well supplied
shall expend part of a Sum of Money (which the Council &
Gent" of the Country had subscribed upon the Assembly's
Refusal at their last Meeting to grant any Supplies) in pur-
chasing a Quantity of fresh Provisions & such things as I think
necessary for the Troops & escort them with such Men as I
can persuade to join me to Fort Cumberland where I expect
in case I go thither to find Col° Dunbar by that time arrived.
I shall then learn what he proposes to do & if he shall resolve
to make another Attempt before he can receive Instructions
from home I shall perhaps be under a necessity of meeting the p. 145
Assembly again & solliciting them to send him a Reinforcement
& a quantity of Provisions & Ammunition. The Subscripsion
that has been made will at least enable me to keep up a Com-
pany of Rangers for the Protection of the Frontiers, but I am
afraid if Col° Dunbar should retreat to Pens^" (which I do not
think unlikely) the Distant Inhabitants will desert their Habita-
tions rather than live in fear & Apprehensions of the Incur-
sions of the French & their Indians

I am Sir &c.

262 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

r Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

1 1"' of August 1 755 transmitted by Capt Garnet, & a Dupli-
cate by Capt Carrol.
S^

The 23'' of July I addressed a Letf to his Ldp & another to
yourself acquainting you with the fatal Engagement that had
happened near the Banks of the Monongahela. I was then
proceeding Westward with an Intention to send up a Supply
of fresh Provisions & Wine to Fort Cumberland which I
imagined the Troops must have been in great need of. On
my Arrival at Conegogee which is 30 Miles beyond Frederick
Town I was informed that they had plenty of every thing at
the Camp & that Col° Dunbar had determined & was about
to leave Fort Cumberland & to march with the Remains of the
two Regiments & the three Independant Companies to Phila^
This News so soon after the Depredations of the Indians & the
General's Defeat had much alarmed & thrown our distant
Inhabitants into great Consternation, they concluded that when
the Troops should retire from the Frontiers the Enemy would
repeat & renew their Devastations & that twas better for them
to fly naked & leave their habitations than remain an easy
Prey to an enraged & cruel Enemy, who may now have free
& uninterrupted Access to these two infatuated & defence-
less Colonies, some that were retiring to their Friends in
the more populous Parts of this & the neighbouring Prov-
inces I persuaded to return back with Assurances that a
sufficient Body of Troops would be left at Fort Cumberland
p. 146 for the Security of that Place & that I would take proper
Measures to prevent the Inroads & Incursions of any French
or Indian Parties which I hope will be effectually done by the
small Forts that I have ordered to be built, one on Tonalla-
way Creek & three under the North Mountain in each of which
I shall place a small Garrison with Orders to them to patrol!
from one to the other & to Fort Cumberland & in case
of Alarms to receive the neighbouring Families into their
Protection. The Subscription that has been made in this
County & some other Parts of the Province has enabled me
to take this Step for the Security of our Frontiers & to
continue on foot the Maryland Company which the late
Resolves of the Lower House had made me desire the General
to distribute between the two Regiments. The Virg* Assembly
is again convened & that of Pens^ is also sitting as you will see
by one of the inclosed Gazetts they have given the Governor
room to expect ^50000 will be granted at this time for his
Majestys Service but I am told they propose to raise it by a
Land Tax to which the Proprietary's unpatented Land will be
likewise subjected, if they still insist upon such unreasonable

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 263

Points I presume they will soon be dismissed as heretofore Letter Bk. i.
in that case I shall not meet our People at all but if the Pensil-
vanians prepare such a Bill as the Governor can accept I shall
immediately convene our Assembly in hopes that as they have
heretofore been they will continue Imitators of the Quakers
Conduct. Inclosed you have an Exact & proper Return of
the Officers & Men that fell in the Action of the 9"^ of July of
those that were wounded & of them that escaped unhurt,
since that time some have died of their wounds at Fort
Cumberland where the Hospital is still kept. It was as sur-
prizing a Defeat I think as has been beared of, for 'tis supposed
that the Indians that that Day opposed General Braddock were
not less than 1500 or 2000 & yet none of the English that were
engaged will say they saw a hundred & many of the Officers
who were in the Heat of the Action the whole time will not
assert that they saw one Enemy, it seems they had most
advantageously posted themselves behind the large Trees that
grew on the Eminences or Hills that were on the Right Flank
&in the Front of our Troops, thence theyfired irregularly on the p- m?
English beneath them who being in a compact Body became a
fair mark to their Enemies against whom they fired in platoons
almost as fast as they could load, without doing as I conceive
any great Execution. The men had not been used to nor had
any Idea of this kind of fighting, which disperited them & soon
threw them into Confusion they refused to obey the Voice of
their Officers & having wasted all their Ammunition retired in
great Disorder leaving the Enemy Masters of the Field & of
all the Artillery Ammunition Baggage & every thing that had
passed the River, it is supposed that 800 or 900 Stand of
Arms have fallen into the Enemies hands & that what Colonel
Dunbar by the General's Orders destroyed was worth at that
place _^ 1 00000 Ss this Loss of all the Artillery except four 6
Lbers which Col° Dunbar has taken with him together with the
Loss of so many Officers & the Disability of many that survive
to enter again on Action as also the present Condition of the
Troops who have been harrassed almost to death by the
Laborious Campaign they have made has determined Col°
Dunbar to retire from Fort Cumberland which Step I think the
present Temper & Disposition of the Troops must incline any
one who saw & conversed with them to approve I have not
lately received any Lett"' from the Northw"* but the Gazetts
inform us that the Troops in Nova Scotia have succeeded
to their Wishes having dispossessed the French of all the
Forts that they had built in that part of the Continent. I
flatter myself with hopes that Colo Johnson will reduce Crown
Point which is I hear but weakly garrisoned at this time but I
confess I am not quite so sanguine in my Expectations con-

264 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. ceming General Shirleys Attempt. A Reinforcement we hear
is gone to Niagara from Fort Du Quesne since General
Braddocks Defeat & I am persuaded they will leave nothing
untried to interrupt him in his Opperations & to prevent his
making himself Master of Ontario Lake. Admiral Boscawen
p. 148 is still cruizing off of Louisburg & Nova Scotia but I have not
heard any farther Accounts of his Success, which makes us
afraid that the Rest of the French Fleet have given him the
Slip. You herewith receive the Journals of the two House's
Proceedings at their last Meeting the Laws are not yet
printed : I have been told that some of the Members who
govern Affairs in the lower House are very busy in promoting
an Association among them & their Adherents & persuading
them to engage at their own Expence to bring the Affair of
the Ordinary Lycences «& the Roman Catholicks to a Hearing
before his Majestys Council for w'^'' purpose it is said two of
the Burgesses who have approved themselves Patriots are to
embark for England as soon as a sufficient Association is
formed to bear the Expence of such a proceeding. It is long
since I had the Satisfaction to hear from you which makes me
apprehend some Letter has miscarried. Please to deliver the
inclosed & beleive me to be &c.

Letter Bk, 11.
p. 120

[Sharpe to Robinson.]

To Sir Thomas Robinson August 1 1. 1755 —
R' Honble

The 23'' of July I took the Liberty to acquaint you with
General Braddock's Misfortune & that I was proceeding to
Fort Cumberland to tender my Services to Col° Dunbar & his
Majesty's Troops that were returned thither I was glad to
find at my Arrival that there was no want of fresh provisions
among them but the Col° had given Orders to the two Regi-
ments & the Independant Companies to hold themselves in
readiness to march for Phil* last Saturday sennight While I
was there Col° Dunbar called a Council of War at which I was
desired to attend & with the other Gent" give my Opinion on
the present situation of Affairs in America & whether his
Leading out his Majestys Forces again immediately to attack
the French Forts on the Ohio River would be expedient or
conducive to his Majestys Service He informed me that all
the Artillery & Stores excepting four 6 Lbrs were either fallen
into the Enemy's hands or had been destroyed by the General's
Order after the Engagement, this is a Loss that cannot be
repaired in these Colonies where there is scarcely any military
Stores not even Musquets but what have been lately sent to
Virg" by his Majestys gracious Order. This Consideration

Correspondence of Governor Sharp e. 265

together with the want of Officers as well as Men & Camp Letter Bk. 11.
Equipage, the Disposition St weakness of those that have made
the last & above all the want of a Fund to defray the Expences
of another Campaign occured as Arguments against his
Marching immediately to act on the Offensive or to pursue the
plan that the General had proposed to prosecute wherefore he
has put the Resolution he had before taken in Execution & is
returning to Phif^ in Expectation 1 presume of receiving there
General Shirley's Letters or Instructions. The several Com-
panies that have been raised & supported by the Gov" of
Virg^ N Carolina & Maryland are left to garrison Fort Cum-
berland & to protect the Frontiers of these Provinces till
something farther can be done for their security & for his
Majestys Service. With due respect &c —

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

Aug^' ii"> 1755—
S^

Yours dated the 31" July I received last Thursday on my
Return from Fort Cumberland whither the unwelcome News
of General Braddock's Misfortune & the Consternation &
Apprehensions of our distant Inhabitants had carried me, I
had procured & was sending away some Beeves & wine from
Conegogee to the Camp imagining the Troops there may have
wanted such necessaries when I was advised that they had the
greatest plenty of both & that Col" Dunbar was preparing to
march with the Remains of the two Regiments & the Inde-
pendant Companies to Phil^ This last Acco' had more alarmed p. 122
our back Inhabitants than the Generals Defeat they concluded
that they should be now left exposed to the Incursions of the
Indians & an easy prey to a victorious & cruel Enemy. Some
that wer retiring to the more populous parts of the Province
I persuaded to return with me & encouraged many others who
entertained thoughts of removing to remain on their plantations
by promising them that some effectual measures should be
instantly taken for their Protection & security. Accordingly I
have ordered some small Forts to be constructed in the distant
Parts of the Province to which the neighbouring Families may
resort in case of an alarm & unite with the Garrisons which
are composed of some Voluntiers that went out so far with me.
The Expence of this I shall be enabled to defray by the sub-
scription that has been made here for such purposes & out of
the same Fund I shall support Capt Dagworthys Company
that was with the General which is now with the Virg^' Forces
at Fort Cumberland the last of July when I reached the Camp
Col° Dunbar gave Orders to the Troops to put themselves in

266 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. readiness to march the Saturday following but Friday morning
he sent to me desiring I would give my Attendance at a
Council that he had called upon the Receipt of your Letter.
The proposition or question submitted to us was whether he
should march again immediately to attack Fort Du Quesne
against which we were unanimous & I think you would not
have been of a contrary Opinion had you seen the Troops &
been acquainted with their Disposition & wants, You know I
presume how much of the Artillery Ammunition Stores &
Camp Equipage fell into the Enemy's hands & how much Col"

P- '23 Dunbar destroyed by the Order of the General before he died,
he has scarcely any thing left beside 4 six pounders which he
has taken with him to Pens" You have been informed how
many Officers were lost in the Action & how many of those
that survived it are unable to undertake another Campaign.
All the Generals Instructions & Papers being lost Col° Dunbar
is unacquainted what Powers he had & is cautious how he
ventures to do any thing but what absolute Necessity requires.
The Soldiers who escaped are wasted with fatigue & so much
dispirited that I question if Orders to march westward would
not incline half of them to desert their Colours. The Destruc-
tion of so many Horses &Waggons for which the Owners have
no immediate prospect of being satisfied will vastly increase
the Difficulty of getting either in these Provinces & as there
has been no Fund established by the Colonies, & Colo Dunbar
will not draw Bills as the General did, I do not conceive that
'twould be possible to attempt any thing at present with
probability of Success. I do not apprehend that the French
whatever the Indians may will come yet a while on this side
the mountains but in case they should the Engineers are of
Opinion with me that twould be impossible to defend Fort
Cumberland against any number of them or against any
Artillery therefore you will conclude that it is not a very proper
place for a grand Magazine. Those Gent" tell me there is an
Eminence about 16 miles lower down the River just at the
Forks of Potowmack both which it commands that is the best
if not the only place in that part of the Country, which would
be easily rendered strong & defensible. Mess'" MTCellar &
Gordon promised me to review it again as soon as they were
able & to send me a Plan of such Works as they would advise

p. 124 us to have constructed thereon which I will send you & if you
approve thereof will join with you in having them perfected
immediately a place of Strength somewhere on our Frontiers
I think the present posture of Affairs requires & I know of no
other spot so proper & convenient but what is commanded by
some adjacent Hills as is the Case with Fort Cumberland;
from This I would propose to have a Line of small Forts or

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 267

Block Houses built in both provinces & if it can be so agreed Letter Bk. 11.
in Pens* also whereby I think the Enemy would be deterred
from sending any more parties to commit Devastations on our
Borders by the Difificulty they would find in securing a Retreat.
I see by the Gazette that the Pens^ Assembly has given Gov'
Morris Room to expect a Sum of money from them at this
time for his Majestys Service, if they prepare such a Bill as he
can accept I shall immediately summon ours to meet in hopes
they will as heretofore follow the Quaker's Example —

[Sharpe to William and John Sharpe.]

August 1 1"- [1755]
D'B'

The 23'' of July I gave you as particular an Acco' as I had
then been able to get of the fatal Engagement that happened
between the English Troops commanded by Gen' Braddock &
the Indians & French from Fort du Quesne on the 9"" of that
Month ; from Bladensburg whence that Letter was dated I
proceeded the Day after towards Fort Cumberland whither I
was about to send some fatted Oxen & Wine (which I imagined
the Troops must have wanted) when I was informed that they
had plenty of every thing at the Camp & that Colo. Dunbar
was preparing to march thence w"" the Remains of the two
Regiments & the Independant Companies to Phi^ This last
Intelligence I found had thrown our distant Inhabitants into the
greatest Consternation the late Depredations of the Indians
& the news of the Generals misfortune had almost determined
them to retire towards the more populous parts of the Country
but now they no longer hesitated concluding that when Col°
Dunbar should draw off the Troops from our Borders the
Enemy would instandy renew & repeat their Devastadons &
that twas better for them to relinquish their Possessions at
once than remain where they must become an easy prey to an
enraged & victorious Enemy, this convinced me that my
Journey to Fort Cumberland thro the Country was more
expedient than I had before conceived & I was glad to find that
my Presence & the promises that I made them that I would take
effectual measures for their Protection & security prevailed on
some that I met retreating & on others that had passed me to
return back & resolve to remain on their respective Plantations.
I ordered some small Forts to be constructed at proper places
in the distant parts of the province to which the neighbouring
Families may resort in case of Danger or Alarms these Forts
I have garrisoned with small parties of Voluntiers that I carried
up with me who have Orders to be continually patrolling from

268 Correspondejice of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. one to the Other to keep the Communication between the
Inhabitants open & if Indian Parties venture to make Incursions
to give the Alarm & dispose themselves in such a manner as
to cut off their Retreat. The Expence hereof I shall be enabled
p. 126 to defray by the Subscripsion that has been made & out of the
same Fund I shall support the Maryland Company that was
with the General which is now at Fort Cumberland with the N
Carolina & the Remains of the Virg^ Forces. I found by Col°
Dunbar & the other Officers that I visited at the Fort that
there had been many unhappy Divisions in the Army that
General Braddock commanded, Himself & the two Colonels
were scarcely on speaking Terms & very few beside four or
five Favourites mention him with Regret. It has been hinted
to me that in case he had succeeded against the Fort the
several Companies that have been raised in & that are sup-
ported by these Provinces would have been regimented & given
to Lieut' Col° Burton of Dunbars, Capt Morris one of the Aid
de Camps was to have been Lieut' Col° & Capt Dobson Major
& Capt Orme the other Aid de Camp was to have succeeded
Burton as Lieut' Colonel in the Regiment that Dunbar com-
mands. This it is said the General requested by Letters that
were sent home before the Action but possibly the unhappy
Turn that Affairs have now taken may prevent the Ministry's
Compliance with the Request. Inclosed you have an Exact &
Regimental Return of the Officers & Men that fell in the
Action, of them that were wounded & those that escaped
unhurt. Some few have since died of their wounds at Fort
Cumberland where the Hospital yet remains. S'' I S' Clair
was shot thro the Body under the Right Pap but is in a fair
way to recover & I expect him here in a fortnight or three
weeks. It was I think as extraordinary a Defeat as ever was
heard of, tis supposed that the Indians who that Day opposed
p. 127 General Braddock were not less than 1500 or 2000 yet none
of the English that were engaged saw more than 100 & many
of the Officers as well as Men who were the whole time of its
Continuance in the Heat of the Action will not assert that they
saw an Enemy. When the Detachment of 300 commanded
by Lieut' Col° Gage was beyond the River about S/j^ of a Mile
they were fired on from an Eminence or small Hill which they
were about to ascend, upon which they returned the Fire &
halted till S' I S' Clair with the Detachment of 200 came up
the General immediately hurried on the main Body to sustain
them while the Enemy who consisted almost entirely of Indians
(or French in Indian dress) extended themselves all along the
Hill which was on the General's right Flank & posting them-
selves severally behind the large Trees that grew thereon fired
in Security & did great Execution. The novelty of such Fight-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. i(i<^

ing struck our Troops with Amazement & Terror they found Letter Bk. ii.
themselves destroyed by an invisible Enemy & were soon thrown
into the greatest Confusion, some Companies that attempted
to ascend the Hill were broke by the Fire of their Friends who
confounded them with the Enemy. In this melancholly situation
the Men were kept more than three Hours when having con-
sumed all their Ammunition they retired in the greatest Disorder
& left the Field & every thing thereon to the Enemy who did
not attempt to pursue them beyond the River but immediately
fell to Scalping those that were killed or unable to get off &
then returned with the Artillery & Plunder to the French Fort.
The General had unhappily all his Papers, His Majesty's
Instructions & the Plan of Opperations that was concerted at
Alexandria with him which fell into the Enemy's hands, & a
Prisoner who is escaped thence asserts that the 2^ Day after p. 128
the Battle a great number of the Indians departed from the
Fort with a Design as he supposes by their Rout to give Gov"^
Shirley a meeting at Niagara. I think the General had with
him 52 Carriages the Artillery & 18 Waggon Loads of
Ammunition included, beside near 100 Beeves that had been
driven up to him two Days before. As soon as he was
brought back to Col° Dunbar's Camp he gave Orders for
the Destruction of all the Ammunition & Artillery that
Dunbar had with him except two 6 Lbrs & all the super-
fluous provision, in pursuance of these Orders near 150
Waggons were burnt, the Powder Casks staved in a spring
the Cohorns broke or buried & the Shells bursted. the
Provisions were scattered abroad on the Ground or the
Barrels broke & thrown into the water, soon after this was
executed the General dying was buried privately in the Road
& Col Dunbar immediately retreated to Fort Cumberland
where he staid g or 10 Days & then marched for Phil* there I
suppose he will expect Letters & Instructions from Gov""
Shirley how to dispose of himself till he can receive farther
Directions from home for his Conduct. Upon the Receipt of
this news Gov' Dinwiddle has again convened his Assembly,
that of Pens* is also sitting & have given the Gov' Room to
expect ^50000 will be now granted by them for his Majestys
Service, if they prepare such a Bill as the Gov' can accept I
will also call our People together on the same Occasion, but if
the Quakers still persevere in their Obstinacy, I shall not p. 129
put the Country to the Expence for I am convinced that if
the Pensilvanians set an ill one our Assembly will follow their
Example. I have not received any Lett'" from the Northw*^
but according to the Gazettes Col° Johnson should e'er this be
before Crown Point & I flatter myself with hopes that he will
not find great Difficulty in reducing it, the Forces in Nova

270 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter lik. II. Scotia have succeeded to their wish having dispossessed the
French of all the Forts they had built in that part of the Conti-
nent, The Papers tell us that several French Ships are blockt
up in the Harbour of Louisburg by the English Squadron &
that tis supposed the Rest of the French Fleet are gone up S'
Lawrence's River. In case of another Campaign ag" Fort Du
Quesne I am of Opinion there ought to be two or at least 1000
of our Woodsmen or Hunters who are marks-men & used to
Rifles to preceed the Army & engage the Indians in their own
way.

Original. [Calvert to Sharpe.]

London Aug' 22^ 1755
D^Sir

The Person who presents you this is M' Stephen's, the
Author Publish'd of a Treatise. The method & plain Process
for making Pot-Ash having proved the Success by the Province
of Massachu set's Bay, where he has a Furnace for that purpose,
he has rec"* encouragement by Parliament, he acquaints me he
designs shortly for America, where he intends to take a Tour
thro the British Provinces, in order to establish so Beneficial a
Commodity among the rest he hopes in Maryland. His Lordp
is sensible of the Utility of his Scheme, therefore desires all
Favour from you to him, as does him who is with peculiar
Esteem

Yours Sincerely

Ceecil" Calvert.
To
His Ex^ Horatio Sharpe Esq'

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to Dinwiddie.]

p. 129

Aug'' 2f 1755 —
S'

By y' Express who is just returned hither from N York I
have received a Letf from Gen' Shirley together with Copies
of his Lett' & Instructions to Col" Dunbar on the Receipt of
that W'' you sent him. As Gen' Shirley tells me he has sent
you Copies also I will not delay your Express longer than to
acquaint you that I suppose Col° Dunbar concluding from the
p. 130 Resolutions of the Pens" Assembly that there was little Proba-
bility of his being sufficiently reinforced or assisted by these
three Governm" to make another Attempt on Fort Du Quesne
is proceeding in obedience to the Generals former Instructions
dated the 6 Inst, towards N York or the Western Parts of that

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 271

Province which as he has left us I hope he will be able to reach Letter Bk. 11.
time enough to be of Service to the Northern Expeditions.
Gov"' Morriss Letf dated the 20''' together with the Journal of
his Assembly's proceedings which I presume you will also by
this Opportunity receive from him fully convince me that
nothing effectual will be ever done by these Colonies without
the Compulsion of an Act of Parliament, in case the Pensil-
vanians had shewed a different Disposition I should as I before
hinted to you have met our People instantly but as their
Behaviour has been such as I would not wish to see our
Assembly who are fond of following such Precedents imitate
there is litrie room for me to expect any thing from them were
they to be convened however I shall consult the Council
thereon this morning & proceed according to their Advice;
in the mean time we shall endeavour to encourage the Sub-
scripsion that has been set on foot whereby I hope to be
enabled to support 80 or 100 men for the Protection of our
Frontiers & to join with you in executing what I intimated to
you in my last or any other Scheme that may conduce to our
mutual Security, You have learnt from Col° Innes what
motions the Enemy are making on the other side the moun-
tains & how matters are at Fort Cumberland whereupon the
Hospital is removed down to Frederick-town in this province
& if the Enemy should come against the Fort with any con- p. 131
siderable number of Men & Artillery I am apt to think the
Gov' should have Orders to set fire to it & retire after destroying
whatever he may find himself unable to bring off —

[Robinson to Sharpe.]

Whitehall 28"" August 1755
Sir.

The Lords Justices having thought it necessary to appoint,
without Loss of Time, a Commander in Chief of His Majesty's
Forces in North America, in the room of the late Major General
Braddock, who was killed in the unfortunate Affair, of the 9"'
of last Month, on the Mononghela ; I am to acquaint you, that
Major General Shirley is ordered to take upon him, till His
Majesty's farther Pleasure shall be signifyed, that Command,
with like Powers, with which Major General Braddock held
the same, and as M' Shirley is furnished with Copies of every
Order, Letter & Instruction, that has been sent from hence at
any Time, to, or received from his Predecessor, you may cor-
respond with him, & apply to him upon every occasion, & upon
all Points in such manner as you was empowered to do, to
Major General Braddock, & you will not only regularly observe

272 Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe.

such Directions, as you shall receive from him thereupon,
But will also transmit to Him forthwith, Copies of your whole
Correspondence, with the late Major General Braddock since
his first arrival in North America.

I am
Sir

Your most obedient
humble Servant
T Robinson
Deputy Gov' of Maryland.

Letter Bk. II. fSharpe to Morris.l

p. 131

August 29"^ 1755—
S^

I detain Gover' Dinwiddle's Express a moment to acknowl-
edge by him the Receipt of your Favour of the 20"^ I am sorry
to learn that not even the present melancholly situation of
Affairs in this quarter could weigh with your Assembly to
grant some Supplies in such a manner as you could accept
them, the Example they have set is too grateful to our Folks
for me to give them an Opportunity of pursuing a similar
scheme or expressing themselves in such Language unless I
shall receive more particular Instructions from England, or the
Enemy make an Attempt on Fort Cumberland, which by w' I
can find Gov' Innes begins to expect. It is said that his Com-
mand a fortnight ago consisted of only 160 Men, if they have
since gone off in the same proportion I shall next expect to hear
it is entirely relinquished. The Indians have done a good Deal
of Mischief in several parts of Virg" but they have not made
our people any Visits since the Engagement, however the
distant Inhabitants are so terrified at the Reports they hear
that they are leaving their Plantations very vast & retreating
p. 132 to the more populous parts of the Country. As I have not
heard any thing of Coll Dunbar's Return towards us again I
presume he is proceeding to join General Shirley where I hope
he will arrive time enough to be of some Service but I can tell
him 'twill not a little chagrine Governor Dinwiddle who cannot
bear to think of leaving Fort Du Ouesne unattempted again
this Summer — I have already intimated to S' Tho' Robinson
how defenceless we are (notwithstanding our Numbers) for
want of a proper Militia Law which I have told him has often &
will be always in vain sollicited from our Assembly, whether
Gov' Dinwiddle prevailed with the Assembly of that province
the other Day to pass one I know not otherwise He will I
doubt not write also to the ministry on the same Subject—

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 273

[Sharpe to Shirley.] Letter e

August 29''' 1755 —
D-^ Gen'

I take this Opportunity by a young Gent" one M' West who
is ambitious of serving under your Command to acknowledge
the Receipt of Your Fav' of the 1 3"' together with a Copy of
your Lett' & Instructions to Col° Dunbar. I presume the
Colo Concluding from the Resolutions of the Pens^ Assembly
that litde was to be expected from either of these Provinces p. 133
towards carrying on another Expedition to the westward till
the Legislature of great Britain shall compell us is proceeding
to receive your immediate Commands in the Province of N
York. The Provincial Troops that were left to Garrison Fort
Cumberland I hear desert daily, near a fortnight since they
had reduced themselves to 160, & Gov' Innes tells me he is
not without Apprehensions of being attacked or invested by
the French & their Indians, who according to some Intelligence
he has lately received have discovered & dug up the Artillery
& Stores that Col° Dunbar buried in his Retreat, & were about
to construct some place of Defence at Coll Dunbars Encamp-
ment. The Virg" Assembly has granted ^40000 for the
service & Gov' Dinwiddle speaks of raising 1 200 men there-
with & sending them to build a Fort somewhere near the
meadows or just over the Alleganny Hills, but I doubt he will
scarcely execute such a scheme for it will require no small
number of Men to protect the Frontiers of that Province w^"*
have been much infested by Indians since Gener' Braddock's
misfortune. The Inhabitants who dwelt in the distant parts
of Virg'' on New River & that called Green Brier have all left
their Plantations : Our People too have many of them fled to
the more populous Parts of the Country tho no Enemy has
lately appeared on this side Potowmack River — Beside Capt
Dagworthys Company (that followed the Gen') which is now p. 134
at Fort Cumberland we have a Command of 20 on our Fron-
tiers which are supported by a subscription till some Lett" from
England shall determine our Controversies & give me room
to meet our Assembly & ask them for Supplies with greater
probability of being regarded more than I have hitherto been
when I mentioned such a Subject. Wishing you Success &c
I am

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

[Augt.1755] '■'''
M Lord

In my Lett' dated the 23'' of July I gave your Ldp an Acco'
of General Braddock's Misfortune near the Banks of the
Monongahela & acquainted your Ldp that I was then pro-

Letter Bk.i.

2 74 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. cecding towards Wills-Creek principally with a view of Encour-
aging the distant Inhabitants to remain on their Plantations
which the Terror of the Indian's Incursions & the alarming
News of the General's ill Success inclined them to relinquish
& desert, those that I met flying from the Frontiers I pre-
vailed on to return back & by ordering some small Forts to be
built at proper Distances from each other in the Western Part
of Frederick County whereunto the People may resort in case
of Alarms, I hope I have made & left them pretty well
satisfied & contented. Each of those Forts I have garrisoned
with a few men who have my Orders to patroll from one to the
other & keep the Communication free & open. These Men
I am enabled to support by a subscription that has been made
p. 149 by the Gentlemen of this & some of the other Counties & from
the same Fund I subsist the Maryland Company commanded
by Capt Dagworthy that marched with the General but which
is now left with the Virg"* & N Carolina Troops at Fort Cum-
berland under the Command of Governor Innes. Col° Dunbar
with the Remains of the two Regiments & the 3 Independant
Companies is on his march to Phi^ where I suppose he will
receive some Lett" from General Shirley <& Instructions for the
Disposition of the Troops. The Loss of the greatest part of
the Artillery Ammunition & Camp Equipage which cannot be
replaced but from Europe the Death of the General & Loss of
all his Papers & Instructions together with the want of Officers
for the Regiments & the weakness & Terror of the Men that
survive have determined Colonel Dunbar against attempting
any thing till he can receive Instructions & Directions for his
Conduct, indeed I beleive 'twould be impossible to prevail on
the Troops at present to advance towards the Enemy or their
Fort, was the Colonel supplied with every thing necessary for
pursuing the General's plan. I see by the Pensil" Gazette that
Governor Morris has convened the Assembly of that Province
on this unhappy turn of our Affairs & that by their Address
they give him room to expect ^50000 for his Majesty's Service
but I am told that they propose to raise the money by a Land
Tax to which all the Proprietarys Mannours & even unappro-
priated unsettled & uncultivated Lands are to be subjected
if such be their Views I presume the Issue of their present
Meeting will be pretty similar to that of their last but if they
prepare such a Bill as will be agreeable to the Governor I
shall also meet our Assembly on the same Occasion in hopes
that they may notwithstanding their late Resolves be persuaded
to wave the Points they have contended for & imitate the
Quakers Example. Inclosed your Ldp has a Regimental Return
of the Officers & private Men that were killed or wounded in
p. 150 the Battle of the Monongahela, a particular Account of what

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 275

was left to the Enemy & destroyed by Colonel Dunbar in
Obedience to General Braddock's Order I have not been able
to procure ; but I have in general learnt that the Enemy have
taken 52 Carriages including the Train, 18 Waggon Loads of
Ammunition & 90 fat Oxen that were drove up two Days
before the Engagement. We cannot yet learn how great was
the Number of the Enemy that opposed the English but it is
beleived twas pretty considerable tlio no Body will assert that
he saw a hundred during the Action W'" continued more than
3 hours, but it is not difficult to account for this when they
inform us that the Attack was made principally by Indians &
that they divided & posted themselves behind the Trees which
grew on the Eminencies that were on the Right Flank & in the
Front of our Men. Our Troops fired away all their Ammuni-
tion before they left the field, but they did it (it is said) in a
good deal of Confusion & fear so that many were destroyed by
the hands of their Friends, about 800 or 900 Stand of Arms
are supposed to have fallen into the Enemy's hands with every
individual thing that had been carried over the Monongahela
River three quarters of a Mile from the Western Bank of
which the Action happened. I have not lately received any
Lett' from the Northw"* but the Gazettes inform us that the
Troops in Nova Scotia have succeeded to their wishes having
dispossessed the French of all the Forts that they had built in
that part of the Continent, & I entertain hopes that Colonel
Johnson will reduce Crown Point, but indeed I am not without
some Apprehensions on Governor Shirley's Account. The
possession of the Lakes is of the greatest Importance to the
French, the Well Being of their more Southern & Inland
Setdements depends entirely thereon therefore I doubt not
they will leave nothing unattempted to interrupt his Oppera-
tions & if possible make themselves Masters of Oswego Fort :
We are told that a great number of the Indians & French
Troops that were at Fort Du Quesne are gone upward with
that t)esign & the probability thereof inclines us to beleivethe
Report. The Ships of war that were at the Capes under the
Command of Commodore Kepple are sailed to join Admiral
Boscawen on the Coast of Nova Scotia. Our not receiving
any farther Advices from that Quarter makes us fear that the
Rest of the French Fleet have passed him & are gone up S'
Lawrence River. As soon as I receive any farther Intelligence
I shall take the Liberty of addressing myself again to your Ldp
& I hope I shall by the next opportunity have better news to
communicate than what has been the Subject of this & my last
Lett' I am &c.

276 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]
30"' of August transmitted by Capt Steuart's Ship —
S^

Herewith I have transmitted the Acts of Assembly which
agreeably to your Desire I had gotten transcribed, & also under
a seperate Seal the Laws which have been enacted since my
Arrival in Maryland: I conceived 'twould be most proper
thus to return them in two Volumes as we are yet ignorant
what has been his Lordsp's final Determination with respect to
the Inspection Law. I think to compleat the sense in the third
Section of the Revenue Law of 1704 after the Words "before
the Departure of such Ship or Vessel" should have been
inserted from this Province, & that all & every Master &
Masters of any Ship or Vessells" coming into this Province
but I could not permit in a Transcript that was to be authenti-
cated such a Variation from the Original to which I recurred.
The latest Letters from Fort Cumberland advise us that the
Provincial Troops who are left there as a Garrison desert daily
it is said that they are reduced to 150 Men, Governor Innes
writes that on the i^t Inst a Lieut' who had been sent out
with a party of Men upon the Scout towards the Great
Meadows returned & reported "That two of his advanced
Scouts having discovered about 50 Indians in the Meadows
came running back to the Party, that about a Dozen of the
Indians followed very close four of which discovering them-
selves to be Friends came up to his party with these two Men
& advised him to turn immediately back, otherwise that he with
all his Party would be scalped for that there were 400 French
encamped at Col° Dunbar's Camp & had discovered the
Stores that were buried there & that they had an advanced
Guard of 100 more French posted about a Mile beyond the
Meadows that the French were coming this way & that the
Indians which were about a hundred more would soon be
amongst the Inhabitants" Upon this Alarm the Hospital is
removed down to Frederick Town & Governor Innes dis-
patched an Express to Colonel Dunbar who was proceeding
thro Pens'* towards the Provinces of New-York desiring a
Reinforcement from him, I know not what Regard Col°
Dunbar has paid to his Request but I am apt to think he is
still marching to join General Shirley who I conclude from his
last Lett"^ reached Oswego about 5 or 6 Days ago, I have
been now informed by M' Morris himself that what I men-
tioned to you in my last respecting the Disposition of the
Pens'" Assembly has proved too true. Peruse the inclosed
Gazettes & then I think you will not be at a loss to judge how
much is ever to be expected from that Quarter, & pretty nearly

CorrespoJidence of Governor Sharpe. 277

what would be the Consequence of our Assembly's Meeting at Letter Bk.i.
this time. I have not heard certainly what Resolution the Vir- p- '53
ginians have come to but there is a flying Report that they
have granted _^40ooo. more for his Majesty's Service & the
Protection of their Frontiers in consequence of which 500
Rangers are gone toward the extreme Parts of that Province.
We learn from Virg^ that one Coll. Patton of Augusta C'^ a
very active & worthy man was lately scalped as he was pro-
ceeding to command a Party of Rangers on New River, & on
Houlston River we hear Numbers have been cut off together
with one Ensign Wright who was ordered thither to range
&c.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

Aug=' 30'"
S^

Inclosed you receive Bills of Excha. for ^i 24. 1 6: 2 which you
will accept & dispose of as heretofore; I mentioned to you
some time since that I would replace the Money that was
advanced Evans out of the Naval Office of Pocomoke but as
his Ldp was pleased to order me to commissionate M' Graham
to that place before one year had elapsed the Moiety of Fees
paid me was only ^39. 6 Currency which was something more
than £20. short of what I had advanced & expended, however
I thought I could receive that Sum & much more from the
Land Office as it was near a Year before a joint Judge was
added to Doctor Steuart but when I hinted as much to him the
other Day he told me that you had been pleased to give him
the whole profitts of the Office for that year by a Letter w'^'' he
had lately received however that he was ready to account with p. 154
me for a Moiety if I required it, finding that was the Case I
dropt the Affair & shall not think thereof again till I know
your farther pleasure. The 30"" of Nov' 1753 I inclosed to you
sundry Bills viz. M"" Wilmot p"' M' lennings's for drawing
plans of the City of Annapolis ^5. 10. M' Emory for various
Services p Order M' Jennings £22. 13. 9. M' Emory for
sundry services -p Order Gov' Sharpe £\\. 14. 9. Col° Cresap
for Services by Gov' Ogles Order ^100. The last of w'^'' Bills
only you have taken any Notice of to me. since that time the
Mensurations that Emory made in Obedience to an Order of
Council has considerably enlarged his Bill as you will see by
the inclosed which he sent me sometime since with a petition
that I would procure him payment. I did not choose to return
him any Answer till I could be favoured with your Instruc-
tions, them I shall hope to receive soon, in the mean time I
am S' &c

278 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

P. S. Pray how or by whom is the Expence of copying the
Laws that are now transmitted to be defrayed, if t'was to be
charged to the publick the Lower House would never I doubt
admit it into the Journal, but if they should when would the
Transcriber get satisfied if he must depend on the publick for
payment, Your Instructions hereon will be acceptable.

Letter Bk. II. fSharpe to Dinwiddie.1

p- 134 L r J

Sept. 2" 1754. [1755]

Your Letf dated the 25"" ult I have received & considered,
& as I am about to make a short Excursion from Annapolis &
may not probably return before Your Express arrives from
Phil" I leave this in answer to that your Letter. I readily
agree with you that many great Advantages would have,-
attended Col° Dunbars constructing some place of Defence
for the security of the Stores as well as the Troops under his
Command at the place where he was encamped when he
received the News of the General's Misfortune & I am inclined
to think the Enemy would not have ventured to attack him had
he been advantageously posted there or any where between
that place & Fort Cumberland where he might have been
reinforced & supplied with such things as may have been
wanted towards making a second Attempt this Summer,
r- 13s that such a Step was not taken Col" Dunbar says was entirely
owing to the General who as soon as he was brought up to his
Encampment gave Orders for his Retreat & for destroying
every thing that was not brought off — When Colo Dunbar
called the Council he did produce & read Your Letter & I
beleive the other members as I did myself apprehended Your
meaning in general to be that if the particular Modes of
reducing Fort Du Ouesne therein specified could not be
followed any other Step should be taken whereby the Enemy
might be most offended & His Majesty's Service best advanced,
some of the Reasons that made me averse to Col° Dunbar's
marching westward I have already intimated to you & I hope
they are thought satisfactory but I doubt not but S' I" S' Clair
(who I expect is e'er this with you) will if you ask him give
you other convincing Reasons for his Opinion which was
pretty similar to mine on that Occasion, Col° Dunbar did not
consult us on any other Affairs & I took it for granted at that
time as I do now that he intended to proceed to join General
Shirley if the General should approve thereof & not go into
Quarters as it seems he writ you that he intended. I expected
he would have left the Independant Companies where he
found them, at least I did not conceive he w"* have carried the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 279

Carolina Company away from Fort Cumberland & the place Letter Bk. 11.
of their Destination, If no other good had been obtained
thereby I am inclined to think that if he had left either of
those Companies Desertions among the Provincials would have p. 136
been much less frequent, for the Men would have been afraid
of the Execution of martial Law on them as being in Conjunc-
tion with His Majestys Regular Forces, which the case being
now different they think there is no reason to fear. You speak
as if Dunbar had taken Mortars with him, I did not appre-
hend that any were imported neither did I before hear what you
relate concerning the Enemy's destroying the Artillery that fell
into their hands — Your Proposal to build a Fort somewhere
beyond the Allegany Mountains this Fall I approve of & should
be glad our People would contribute to the putting such a
Scheme in Execution, but that I am convinced they will never
do unless compelled by the Legislature of Great Britain or
unless some Letters that I expect by Montgomery bring me
such Instructions as will let me meet the Assembly on a very
different Footing from what I have lately done. If the Gen-
erosity of the Virginians alone will enable you to construct &
garrison such a place of Defence I think you cannot take any
measure more for his Majesty's Service & the Security of these
Colonies than setting it about it immediately, but at the same
time I cannot help thinking that 'twill be expedient or rather
absolutely necessary to have some strong place on this side the
Mountains where the Stores & Provisions may be lodged in
Safety : such a place Fort Cumberland is not, & never can be p. 137
made, its Situation will not permit it (as I am persuaded
every one of your Officers if you will ask them will tell you) &
I know not of any so proper as that which I before acquainted
you the Engineers had pointed out ; if you entertain hopes
of proceeding to construct a Fort beyond the Mountains,
I presume you will endeavour to procure the assistance of one
of them Gent" Coll Innes's Letters to me express vast Appre-
hensions of Danger, he seems to think the Enemy will make
an Attempt on Fort Cumberland & I am apt to think, that if
they do with any force it is as certainly their own. I do not
hear that the Maryland Company has lost more than two Men
by Desertions, we have beside them a Command of about 20
at a small Fort on Tonallaway Creek for the Protection &
Satisfaction of the distant Inhabitants, w'^'' as well as the Com-
pany is supported out of the Subscription Fund, till something
farther can be done for his Majestys Service & our Protection.
I have not learnt that any Mischief has been lately done on our
Frontiers but I am told the Country is entirely deserted for 30
Miles below Fort Cumberland since Col° Dunbar marched. I
suppose your Express will inform you that he has now left
Phil^ & is proceeding to N York so that if he makes Dispatch

28o Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. the Troops may I apprehend be at Albany in a fortnight or 3
weeks & I hope as he has left us, he will be time enough to be
of some Service to General Shirley, on whose account I assure
p. 13S you I am not without some fears & Apprehensions. I am
impatient to hear from him for if he can but succeed, I flatter
myself twill not be very difficult to reduce the Enemy's Garri-
sons on the Ohio let them be as strong as they may, when
they have taken proper measures at home to make us unite,
or for another American Campaign, pray did you obtain a
Militia Law if you did send me a Copy whereby You'll oblige
S^—

Original. [Shirley to Sharpe.]

Camp at Oswego Sept. 9"' 1755
Sir

As it may be acceptable to your Honour to know the Situa-
tion of the Service, which is under my immediate Care, I
transmit you the following account of it.

The last Division of the Forces under my Command were
twenty Six Days upon their march from Schenectady to this
Place, where they did not arrive untill the 1'^ Instant: The
Troops are so much reduced by Desertion and Sickness, and
absence of Detachments upon Parties & Command, that by a
Field Return, which I ordered to be taken yesterday it Appears,
that the number of men in the three Regiments & Independent
Company fit for Duty upon the Spot don't amount to 1400,
out of which we are oblig'd to keep 100 at work upon a New
Fort, and if the Body of the Forces moves from this Place,
must leave 300 at least for the Defence of it, so that not 1000
men will remain for other Service, & of these 60 must be
employ'd as Matrosses, & a number as Pioneers: To this I
am to add that we have Suffered greatly by Desertion of
Battoesmen, after being impress'd and even proceeding Part
of the way with us; by which means we are in want of Pro-
visions for any Service, that will require ten days in the
Execution..

However, if I am not disappointed of Supplies of Provisions
which I hourly expect; I am encourag'd, upon the Intelligence,
I have gained since my arrival here, that with our Naval Force,
and the Assistance of the Indians, whom I have pick'd up in
my Passage thro the Country of the five Nations, and the
Albany men, whom I hired to go with me as a Scouting party
of Guards (both which may Amount to 140 men) I say, I am
encourag'd. Sir, to hope that we may proceed upon Action in
a very few Days, and that a foundation will be laid this year
for such a Campaigne the next, as I flatter myself (provided

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 281

the Colonies shall then exert a proper Spirit) may secure all
points in dispute between us and the French.

As a Meeting of Commissioners from all the Colonies as far
Westward as Virginia inclusive, with me to be appointed by
Act of Assembly, in the Month of October or November in
order to consult upon the most Proper measures to be taken
for the general Interest of the Common Cause the next Spring,
may have a good Effect for his Majestys Service, I mention it
to your Excell'=>' for your Consideration and shall do the same
to the other Gov'" in a Circular Letter: if such a Convention
shall be thought adviseable, I would propose New York for the
Place of meeting, and the 15'*" of November the time for it, as
I shall be there in my Return to Boston, where I must be present
early in December.

As I think a very early Campaigne the next year necessary
I have sent orders to Col Dunbar the Commanding officer of
his Majestys two British Regiments & two Independent Com-
panies of New York to March those Troops direcdy to Albany,
where I design their Winter Quarters shall be, and to leave at
this Place as many of the Troops now with me, as can be
supported here during the Winter, that they may be assembled
ready to act either Seperately or in conjunction with such Pro-
vincial Troops as the Colonies shall think fit to raise ag' the
French Settlem" either upon the Lakes and Ohio; which last
place is very accessible thru that Route, or ag' any part of
Canada, as his Majestys Service, & the General Interest of the
Colonies may most require.

The first thought of having a Meeting with Commissioners
from the Colonies was Suggested to me from the inclosed
Extract.

As Col Dunbar's and the late Sir Peter Halkets Regim"
have been greatly reduced by the Defeat of the late Major
General Braddock in their March to the Ohio for the Protection
and Service of the several Colonies of Pensilvania, Maryland
and Virginia in Particular ; and his Majestys Service, & their
further Protection require that those Regiments should be
compleated to 1000 men each by the beginning of the Spring,
I can't but hope that the three before mentioned Gov"" will
readily make Grants for Supplying Col Dunbar & L' Col Gage
with levy money for that purpose; and that your Honour will
be pleased to recommend it in the Strongest Terms to the
Assembly within your own Governm' I have wrote to Gov'
Morris & Gov' Dinwiddle to the same Effect.
I am with great Regard
Sir
Your Honours Most Humble
and most Obedient Servant
W Shirley.
Hon''"' Horatio Sharpe Esq'

282 Corresponcietice of Gover-iior Sharpe.

Extract of an account of the Proceedings of the New
Jersey Assembly, drawn up at the request of Governor
De Lancey by M' Alexander a Member of his Majesty's
Council for the Provinces of New York & New Jersey
& communicated to Major General Shirley by the
Governor.

Sundrys of the Assembly heartily wish that a Congress of
Commissioners should meet with Major General Shirley at
Albany or where else he would be pleased to appoint in October
or November next, to agree on the further necessary Supplies
& Forces for next year, that should be provided in the Winter,
so that all might be at the place of rendezvous by the first of
the Spring that the Commissioners should be appointed by
Acts of the several Legislatures But as they are one of the
smallest Colonies they durst not take upon them to begin a
Proportion for that purpose, but will most readily follow the
Example of the other greater Colonies as far as their abilities
can go.

Letter Bk. II. fSharpe to Dinwiddie.J

p. 138 L r J

Sept 1 4"' [1755]
Sir

I was exceedingly glad to learn from S' lohn S' Clair who
arrived here Friday Evening that you enjoy good health, S'
John finds himself pretty well after his Journey & proposes
leaving this place Tuesday morning & to proceed towards
Oswego, from the Accounts that I have received from Phil'
I conclude that Coll Dunbar is scarcely marched thence as yet,
but I hope the Inhabitants will make such Dispatch in supplying
the Troops with such things as they want that he will not have
Occasion to postpone his Departure many Days longer. You
sometime since put into my hands M"^ Mitchells proposals for
publishing a Map of America I should be much obliged to you
for procuring & sending me two Copies if any of them are
imported into Virg* for Sale. With &c.

[Sharpe to William Sharpe.]

Sept^ 15" 1755-
D^B^

In my Lett' dated the 11'^ of Aug" I informed j-ou that Col°
Dunbar with the Remains of the two Regiments & the 3
Independant Companies was on his march from Fort Cumber-
land to Philadelphia, by Letters thence I learn that he arrived
at that place a Fortnight ago & that as soon as he could get

Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe. 283

some necessary Cloaths made for the Men who were in great Letter Bk. 11.
want thereof & a little Field Equipage he would obey General
Shirley's Orders by proceeding to N York & making the best
of his way to Oswego. As that place is not much less than
400 Miles distant from N York I am afraid he will not be able
to reach it & reinforce General Shirley time enough to enable
him to make a successful Attempt on Niagara this year
& I beleive that without his Assistance that Enterprize will not
be undertaken ; indeed I think that if the General can secure
himself, construct a strong place of Defence on the shore & by
the Vessels that are building secure the Lake Ontario this year
he will do good Service & be in a fair way of making a Con-
quest early in the Spring; The Fort & pass of Niagara is in
my Opinion the most desirable place in N America as I have p. 140
before hinted to you & as I intimated to General Braddock
upon his Arrival on this Continent in a Letter that beginning
with an Apology for my Tardiness in waiting upon him in
Person was thus continued What Intelligence we have lately
received concerning the French who have been sent to take
possession of the Country adjacent to the River Ohio & their
present strength in these parts you will know from S' lohn S'
Clair & I entertain the most sanguine hopes that their Numbers
there will not be found very formidable, but I am apprehensive
that unless the Communication between Canada & the Forts &
Settlements that the French have made to the Southward of
Lake Erie can be cut off it will not be an easy Matter to
secure our possession of them after the Success of your Arms
has recovered his Majestys Dominions on w*"'' the French
Troops have presumed to incroach the permission or Lycence
that that nation obtained some years ago to build a Fort in the
Country of the 6 Indian Nations at Niagara (the pass or
Streight between the Lakes Erie & Ontario) has now given
them the Command over those people, an Opportunity of p. 141
monopolizing the Trade with the distant Nations & has
secured to them a short & easy Communication between their
Northern & Southern Colonies —

As they are Masters of Ontario Lake by means of their
strong & well garrisoned Fort thereon named Cataracui, & the
nature of the Adjacent Country renders a Road to Niagara by
Land impracticable, they have not hitherto given themselves
much trouble to render that place more defensible than Nature
has made it imagining for the two Reasons just mentioned that
the English would never attempt the Conquest of it however
strongly its vast importance might invite them thereto. At
present we have only a Trading House destinguished some-
times by the Appellation of Oswego-Fort on Ontario Lake
where perhaps 50 or 60 Men from the New York Independant

284 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Ek. II. Companies may now be posted, but by what I can find the
French may make themselves Masters thereof at a very small
Expence & without much Difficulty just when they please,
unless some of the Indians should insist on its being a place of
Neutrality as they did during the late war between the two
Crowns: should the Indians appear less desirous of reserving
that place to the English at present (which indeed I am some-

p- 142 what suspicious will be the Case) I apprehend the French will
immediately dispossess us thereof as soon as they hear of your
Arrival & that they have some thing to fear on Account of their
late acquired possessions on the Ohio, had the General used
less Dispatch in marching to Fort Du Quesne & employed his
Men in making places of Defence at proper Distances as they
marched the Enemy would have been kept in Suspence on the
Ohio while things were carried on more privately to the North-
ward & till a Descent could have been made by water on
Niagara but as General Braddock thro the impatience of the
young people about him as 'tis said hurried on too fast & mis-
carried so early in the Summer I am afraid there are e'er this
more Troops at the Streight than Shirley is able or will under-
take to deal with. Colonel Johnson I see by the Northern
papers conceiving himself too weak to invest the French Fort
at Crown Point is employing his Men in raising another about
20 Miles on this side thereof till he can be reinforced from the
New England Governts. to whom he has made his Situation
known & sollicited immediate Succours. I inclose you our
last Gazette which contains all the News we have lately
received from Boston, which makes us flatter ourselves with

p. 143 hopes that Admiral Boscawen will not let the Fleet that is at
Louisburg escape in a Condition to do much mischief. About
a month ago Governor Innes writ to me intimating that he
thought Fort Cumberland would be attacked by a Body of
French & Indians that had been discovered by one of his
Scouting Parties, at the Meadows ; Was the Enemy to make
such an Attempt I am apt to think they would find little diffi-
culty in making a Conquest, for from 300 provincials that were
left to garrison the Fort when Dunbar marched with the
Regular Troops scarcely 100 remain which we must attribute
to the Opinion they entertain that being no longer in Conjunc-
tion with Regular Troops they are no longer Subject to the
penalties of the Mutiny Bill & tho we & their Officers should
entertain different Sentiments yet the Offenders could not be
brought to condign punishment because none of the Officers
are vested with a power to hold general Courts Martial. You
may learn from M' Calvert (to whom I have sent their
proceedings to what a length the Dispute has been carried
between Governor Morris & hig Assembly, that nothing is to

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 285

be expected from that quarter without the Compulsion of an Letter Bk. 11.
Act of Parliament is most evident & I am persuaded that our P" ^^^
People are much disposed to follow the Precedent that the
Pensilvanians have set them. The Virginians have granted
^40000 more for the Service & the Governor talks of raising
therewith 1000 or 1200 Men immediately who are to be com-
manded by M' Washington & to march over the Allegany
Hills within these two Months & build a Fort on the Western
Side of them, but Experience inclines me to think they will
not on this side Christmas raise more than Men enough to
defend Fort Cumberland & their own Frontiers. S' I" S'
Clair's being with me is the reason you receive this in an
unusual Character, he is pretty well recovered of his wound
& proceeds Northward to Morrow Morning in his Way
to Col° Dunbar or to General Shirley at Oswego where I
beleive he expects to take up his winter quarters. &c

rSharpe to Baltimore.! Letter Bk.

p. 154

Sept^ 15"^ 1755-
My Lord

Since I did myself the honour to address Your Ldp last I
have been informed by Governor Morris that the Issue of his p. 155
Assembly's Meeting was such as I apprehended would follow
the proposal that common Rumour informed us had been made
as I intimated to your Ldp in my last Letf I have sent M"^
Calvert for Your Ldps perusal the several Messages &
Addresses that passed between the Governor & Assembly on
that Occasion which evidently discover the Disposition of that
people & I am afraid that if our people were to be convened
they would not esteem the Pensilvanians proceedings as pre-
cedents unworthy their imitation, that Reason & the Con-
sideration that our Mite (in case the Assembly should have
met generously disposed & inclined to avoid Disputation &
Controversy) would not have been effectual without the Con-
currence & Aid of the Pensilvanians, determined the Gentle-
men of the Council to advise against a Session till I should be
honoured with your Lordship's farther Instructions. The
Virginians have granted the Sum of ^40000 for the Service
& are raising Men therewith for the protection of their Frontiers
& in case they can form a Body of 1000 or 1200 Men within
these two months the Governor will order them to march over
the mountains & construct some place of Defence on the
Western Side of the Allegany Ridge. I received a Letter
from Fort Cumberland near a month ago expressing the Gov-
ernor's Apprehensions that some French & Indians who had

286 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. been discovered at the Meadows were coming to attack that
place but as I have not since heard any thing farther on that
Subject I am apt to think the Governor's fears were in some
p. 156 sort groundless, tho the continual Desertion of the Garrison
since the Regulars seperated from them cannot but give him
great Room for Uneasiness. I am told that Colonel Dunbar
who is at Phil" has received Orders from General Shirley to
join him as soon as possible & I expect that in compliance with
such Orders the Troops are by this time about to leave that
place. Late Letters from the Northward I have received none
but the Gazettes inform Us that General lohnson thought him-
self too weak to invest Crown Point & therefore was employing
himself in raising a Fort 20 Miles on this Side thereof till he
could be reinforced from the N. England Govern" to whom he
had made his Situation known & from whom we hope he will
receive sufficient & timely Succours. General Shirley I appre-
hend acts only on the Defensive & is busied in erecting a
strong Fort on the Shore of Ontario Lake whereon it is said
we have three Vessels of Force, as soon as I receive any
Intelligence from that Quarter or if any thing of importance
occurs in Your Lordship's province I shall not fail to send
Your Ldp immediate Advice thereof & in the mean time I
remain

Y-- Ldps—

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

15''' Sept' 1755 transmitted by Capt.
S'

With Duplicates of my last Letters I inclose you the latest
pens" Gazette which contains all the News that we have re-
ceived from the Northward ; no account has been brought
from Fort Cumberland since that which I have already sent
157 you, from whence I conclude that Affairs continue in the same
Situation, Colonel Dunbar has not sent thither a Reinforce-
ment, but is about to leave PhiP it is said & to proceed towards
General Shirley. In Virginia they are levying Troops as fast
as they can & Governor Dinwiddle flatters himself that he shall
be able to have 1200 Virginians ready to form a Body in about
two Months to march over the Allegany Mountains & to con-
struct some place of Defence on the Western Side of them ; I
wish he may see his plan executed, but the frequent Desertions
from the provincials since they have lost all Dread of severe
punishment by the Regulars leaving them inclines me to
entertain some fears that there will be greater Difficulty in
marching such a Body of Provincials & keeping them together

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 28 7

than Gove' Dinwiddle seems to imagine. We are told that Letter Bk. i.
several Indians have been lately killed in Virginia by their
Ranging Parties & that a Deserter from Fort Du Ouesne is
come into that Province who says that the French at that Fort
are not less than 2000 who are under the Command of one
Count Brodie a Scotchman that was himself in the late Action
with near 2000 Indians. I have not heard that any Enemy
has been seen in this province since Colo Dunbar left us but
the people who dwelt beyond Tonalloway Creek where Lieut'
Stoddert St 15 Men have built a Stoccado Fort have I am
informed all left their plantations so that the Country is deserted
for 30 Miles Eastward of Col° Cresap's who is also removing
or removed down to Conegogeek where one of his Sons p- 'sS
inhabits. It has been hinted that Coll Dunbar & many Officers
of the two Regiments are on very indifferent Terms with Coll
Burton & the late General's Aid De Camps who are also at
Phila. & some Paragraphs in the pensilvania paper leaves me
no room to doubt of the Fact. As we shall not want frequent
Opportunities of Conveyance this Month or two you may
depend on my punctuality in advising you of every Occurrence
that happens whereby the Interest of his Ldp's or the other
provinces can be affected. You will excuse my sending this
in an unusual Character which is owing to S' Jn S' Clair's
being with me on his Way to Oswego & you will I hope
beleive me to be with great Respect & Esteem &c.

[Dinwiddie to Sharpe.] Original,

Virg" Williamsburg Ocf 3'' 1755
Sir

Inclos'd you have a Letter from S' T. Robinson which came
to my Hands Yesterday ; According to Your Desire I sent
you -p C Montgomerie Mitchels Map of these Colonies.

I congratulate you on the Success of G' lohnson against the
French near Crown Point: I have no Express with the Par-
ticulars of the Action, which I greatly expect to confirm the
News we hear from the N York Papers.

Lieu' Gray of the S° Car° Company has drawn on me for
bo£ St' for Pay due as he says for being Brigade Major at
Fort Cumbld, we had no Forces there till the Spring, he
charges from Sep' 1 754 our Committee will not allow him any
Thing as not being on the Establishment ; yet if he did that
Duty, which I dare say he did, & by report is esteemed a
good Officer; in that Case the three Colonies should allow him
something as he has been twice plundered by the Enemy & I
wrote him to that Effect.

288 Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe.

I want much to hear if Pensylvania Assembly have at their
last meeting voted any Supplies. Our Forces must remain on
the Defensive till the Spring, & till we have orders from Britain.
I remain with great Respect
Your Excellency's
Most obed' hble Servant
Rob' Dinwiddle
Gov' Sharpe.

[Shirley to Sharpe.]

Camp at Oswego Ocf 4''' 1755
Sir

In my Letter of the 25"" of September I informed your
Honour that I should set out in three Days to proceed to
Niagara; But upon finding Several matters, which had hap-
pen'd since the last Council of War, had made the Officers
who compos'd it, think it unadviseable to proceed in such an
Attempt this year; I conven'd them again in Council; and as
the minutes of both will best explain to your Honour the State
of His Majestys Service here, I have inclosed Copies of them.
I am with great Regard,
Sir
Your Honours most Humble,
and most Obedient Servant
W Shirley
Hon''''= Horatio Sharpe Esq'

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to In° Sharpe.]

p. 146 Oct'e"- 1755

D'B'

The Day after my last was writ to you I accompanied S' In°
S' Clair 40 Miles by water towards Phil'' intending to make a
short Tour thence thro part of the Province in Company with
the Judges who happened to be at that time on the Circuit.
The third Day after S' John left us I received some Account of
an Action that had happened on the 8"" of that month between
a large Body of French & Indians from Canada & the English
provincial Troops who were under the Command of General
lohnson near the Shore of what the French call Lake Sacre-
ment : Since that time I have been in Expectation of receiving
an Authentick & circumstantial Account of that Engagement,
which I find was much in our favour but hitherto I owe all the
Information that I have received concerning it to the Gazettes
w'^'' you have inclosed. General Shirley in a Lett' dated at
Oswego the 9"' of Sept' tells me that including the last

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 289

Division of his Army w"''' was just then arrived in twenty Six Letter bu.
Days from Skenectady the whole Body of Men then with him
did not exceed 1400 of whom many were sick & One hvmdred
kept constantly employed in constructing a place of Defence at
the mouth of Osweg-o River on the Eastern Side. The
Desertion of Battoe-Men had prevented his receiving proper p. 147
Supplies of Provisions but he expressed hopes of being soon
enabled by the Arrival of a sufficient quantity to attempt some-
thing before this time Colo Dunbar with the two Regiments
& three Independant Companies has received Orders & is
marched to Albany where General Shirley intends they shall
take up their winter quarters & be in readiness to act seper-
ately or in Conjunction with such provincials as the Colonies
shall think fit to raise & march against any of the French
Settlements early in the Spring — Gov' Dinwiddle has already
dropt the Scheme of building a Fort this winter beyond the
mountains, but his Officers are levying men for Coll Washing-
ton's Regiment that is to be diciplined & ready for Action as
soon as the Severity of the Winter is over —

[Sharpe to Calvert.] Letter Bk. \.

p. 158
6"' of Octob' 1755 transmitted by Capt Hamilton —

S'

I presume that long before this can be presented you will
have heard of the Action that happened on the 8'*' Ult. between
the French from Canada & the English Provincial Troops
commanded by General lohnson near Wood Creek & Lake
George (by the French called Sacrement) A particular &
Authentick Account by Letf of that Engagement I have not
received, but you will see all that we know of the Affair in the
late Pensilv" Gazetts w"'' I have inclosed for your Perusal.
The last of those papers will also shew You that the Contro-
versy which has subsisted between Gover' Morris & the Pens'"
Assembly is not more likely to be terminated than it was when p. 159
I sent some Proceedings of theirs with a former Letf I have
just received a Lett' from Gen' Shirley dated at Oswego the
g'*' of Sepf wherein he tells me that the last Division of the
Forces under his Command being arrived there on the i"^ of
that Month after a March of 26 Days from Skenectady he
found that the whole Number then with him did not exceed
1400 of whom 100 were kept constantly employed in con-
structing a new Fort, which tho he does not say it I conclude
is on a Point that commands Oswego Fort. By the Desertion
of Boat & Battoe-Men he tells me he had not been able to get
up any Quantity of Provisions so that he had at that time

290 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. scarccly enough for any Service that would require Ten Days
in the Execution, however he seem'd to entertain hopes of
being able to enter on Action before this time in Case the
Supplies of Provisions that were hourly expected did not fail
him Coll. Dunbar with the two Regiments & three Inde-
pendant Companies are ordered to Albany where General
Shirley proposes they shall take up their Winter Quarters &
be in readiness to act seperately or in Conjunction with the
Troops now at Oswego or such Provincials as the Colonies
shall think fit to raise & march against the French early in the
Spring. The General desires me to prevail on our Assembly
to send Commissioners to N York the i s'"" of Novem' next &
p. 160 to impower them (as he hopes the Assemblies of the neigh-
bouring Colonies will theirs) to consult with him on the most
proper measures to be taken for the general Interest & our
common Cause & stipulate for the further necessary Supplies
that each province shall furnish before the ensuing Spring but
this I imagine is absolutely impracticable in our present Cir-
cumstances however I shall consult with his Ldp's Council
thereon & take their Advice whether I shall meet our Assembly
before I receive his Ldp's farther Instructions for my Conduct.
Gov' Dinwiddie informs me that finding no Assistance was to
be expected from Maryland or Pensih he has given over all
thoughts of constructing a Place of Defence on the Western
Side of the Mountains this Winter, but his Officers are Levying
Men to compleat Col° Washingtons Regiment which is to be
diciplined during the W^inter & rendered fit for Action early in
the Spring. We learn that many Families who lived on Patti-
son's Creek have been lately killed, carried away, or burnt in
their Houses by a Party of Indians who infest that part of
Virg'' & have I hear murthered & taken Captive three or four
of our Inhabitants within a few Miles of Fort Cumberland.
The Garrison at that place consists of about 1 50 effective Men
who since the Departure of Coll Innes to Carolina are I expect
under the Command of Capt Dagworthy who is the eldest
Officer. I was in hopes of being favoured with a Lett"" by
Montgomery but as he has been now arrived in Virginia almost
a Month without sending me any I conclude he has not charged
himself therewith. Be kind enough to send the inclosed to
B' In & beleive me to be with the greatest Regard

S' Y' mo oblig'' humb Serv'

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 291

[Shirley to Sharpe.] Original.

Camp at Oswego October f^ 1755-
Dear Sir,

Being fully perswaded that a meeting between you, Gov'
Morris, Sir Charles Hardy and myself at New York at my
return to Boston thro that place, w'^'' must be by the latter End
of November would be gready for the good of his Maj>''= Service
in settling the plan of operations for the ensuing Spring; I
have sent to you express to desire that you would do me the
pleasure to meet me at New York in thirty days from this
date.

I have sent a letter by this Express to Gov' Morris to ask
the same favour of him.

I am with great regard and Esteem,
Dear Sir
Your most Humble and
Most
Obedient Servant
VV Shirley
Hon"= Horatio Sharpe Esq'

Letter :
p. 144

[Sharpe to Robinson.]
October the S'"" 1755 — S' Tho' Robinson
R' Honble

The Receipt of your Lett' dated the ig"" of lune I do myself
the honour to acknowledge & hope you will be persuaded
that the Orders therein given as well as all other Commands
that you may be pleased to signify will be diligently obeyed.
In this part of his Majestys Dominions Things have remained p- 14s
in the situation they were in when I took the Liberty to address
myself to you in August: this morning I was informed that
a party of Indians have been seen on this Side Fort Cumber-
land, but as I have ordered a party of Men in pursuit of them
I hope they will not be able to do much mischief. I learn that
Coll Dunbar is embarking the Troops under his Command at
Amboy in New lersy in order to convey them to Albany
where General Shirley designs they shall take up their winter
quarters.

With the greatest Respect I am

R' Hble S' Y' mo devoted humb. Serv' —

292 Correspondence of Governor S/iarpe.

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to Morris.]

Oct. II 1755

Within a few days I have received Several letters by Express
from Capt. Dagworthy who commands the Garrison consisting
of 137 Men at Fort Cumberland & from some other People
advising me that the Indians have since the first Inst, cut off a
great many Families who dwelt near Fort Cumberland & on
both sides Potowmack some Miles Eastward of the Fort. It
is supposed that near 100 Persons have been murthered or
carried away Prisoners by these Barbarians who have burnt
the Houses & ravaged all the Plantations in that part of the
Country. Parties of the Enemy appear within Sight of Fort
p- 14S Cumberland every Day & frequently in greater Numbers than
the Garrison consists of As I presume 'twill not be long
before these People will pay a Visit to your Borders, I take
this Opportunity of intimating what I think might be expected,
an &c

[Sharpe to S' Charles Hardy Governor of New York.]

Oct' 11"' 1755—
S'

I have received the fav' of Y' Letf of the s'*' of Sepf
acquainting me w''" y' safe Arrival in y' Gov' upon w"'' I heartily
congratulate you & wish you much ease & Satisfaction in y'
Administration. As I am persuaded that a friendly Corres-
pondence between the Gov" of the several British Colonies on
the Continent is in the present State of Affairs exceedingly
Expedient & cannot fail of conducing to the general Benefit
of the whole you will please to be assured that the Declara-
tion you make on that head is very acceptable & that I shall
take the greatest pleasure in convincing you that my Dis-
position with regard to this Subject is exactly conformable to
your own I am much obliged to you for the Regard you
express for myself & hope you will think that nothing can
afford me greater Satisfaction than to have Opportunities of
shewing with how great Regard & Esteem I am

[Sharpe to Shirley.]

Oct^ 17" 1755—
S'

Your Favour of the g"*" of Sepf I have received & as I think
such a Congress as the lersy Assembly desire might be attended
with many good Consequences I would have convened our

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 293

Assembly on the Receipt of your Letf had there been the Letter Bk. 11.
least probability of my prevailing with them to depute Com-
missioners to meet you with power to make any Stipulation or
Agreement with respect to the Quota of Men or Money that
this Province should advance towards carrying on another
Expedition against our common Enemy: but Sir I am sorry to
inform you that the Case is far otherwise some Disputes that
subsist between the Branches of our Legislature have for the
present put an entire Stop to all Business. Not even the
Ravages that the Enemy have been committing on our Frontiers
had weight with our Assembly to make them wave the point
in Controversy, you will readily conclude then that my Meeting
them on what they have & would esteem a more forreign
matter would be to little Effect; however as soon as I receive
some Letters that I expect very shortly from England I will
convene the Assembly & will you may be assured endeavour
to procure some Supplies tho the present Circumstances of
our Affairs & the Vicinity & Incursions of the Enemy against
whom an Armed Force in these parts will be requisite forbid
me to expect any thing considerable for you. I am much P- '5°
obliged to you for favouring me with a particular Account of
your situation at the time you writ which indeed seems to have
been none of the best but as you expressed some Expectations
of being put in a better Condition by the Arrival of a Convoy
of Provisions I entertain the most sanguine hopes that you was
not disappointed in such your Expectations «&: that every thing
has since fallen out according to your wishes. Since Colonel
Dunbar left Fort Cumberland the Indians have made frequent
Incursions & cut off many of the Inhabitants. The Garrison
of the Fort is reduced by Desertions to about 140 men who
are as it were shut up by the numerous Parties of Indians that
infest all that part of the Country. Of the Troops in Fort
Cumberland about 100 are the Remains of all the Virginians;
in pursuance of a late Act of their Assembly Govern' Din-
widdle has ordered them to be compleated to 1000 by Colo
Washington who is to have the Command of them when so
Regimented. Since General Braddock's Misfortune we have
not been able to get any Intelligence from Fort Du Quesne
but a French Deserter who left it a good while ago tells me
that the French have a Magazine of Provisions between Fort
de Niagara & S' Victo at the Distance of about 9 miles from
the first.

fSharpe to Calvert.l

^ . -^ Letter Bk. L

20"' Ocf transmitted by M' Wayne — p. 162

Sir

Your Packett by Montgomorie I have at length had the
Satisfaction to receive. The Directions with which your Letter

294 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. of the I T,^^ of May begins shall You may be assured be punc-
tually observed, as shall on every Occasion His Ldp's & Your
Instructions.

As much of Arundel Mannour as has by the Expiration of
the old Leases been set out since I mentioned our Design to
advance the Rent has been leased at the Rate of ^5. a 100
Acres but we have been obliged to allow the Addition of a
p. 163 litde Reserve to each Tract so leased. It is absolutely impracti-
cable at present to raise the Price of his Ldps vacant Lands,
Some People begin to think their property less secure than
heretofore, & I am told very few will chuse to be concerned
with such Land as lies toward the Frontiers, as will I am
afraid be too well evinced by the Agent's next Accounts. I am
sorry to tell you there is not the least Room to hope that the
Assembly will hear of any thing in favour of an Amendment
to the Inspection Law. I am confident that there are scarcely
Ten people in the Lower House who at this time desire its
Continuance in any Form, & I have great reason to think that
the present Scarcely of Tob° inclines the Majority of the Peo-
ple to wish his Ldp may dissent to the Act entirely ; I there-
fore submit to his Ldp to do therein as to him seems best, but
in case of his Ldp's Dissent shall be glad to know whether the
Regulation of Officers Fees shall be the same as before any
Inspection Law was made & whether I shall ascertain & settle
them by proclamation. I have communicated what you desired
to M' Calvert & presume you will by this Opportunity receive
Letters from himself, he says he will continue as joint ludge
of the Land Office till he hears from you again. As I cannot
otherwise secure the Annual Present for M' Wogan it continues
charged to that Office & I have desired them to let me have a
Bill to remit for his use. I find M' Calvert thinks he has a
Right to expect something in Consequence of his Marriage or
p. 164 the Late Ld's Will. I cautioned him to take Care how he
proceeded, lest he should seem wanting in Duty & Respect to
His Ldp & Yourself, he promised to do so, but gave me
to understand that he will never relinquish his Claim to what
he has been told he has a Title to, unless a Verdict or Decree
pass ag^' him. I have desired Col° Lloyd to come over as
soon as possible, till that time I defer answering that Part of
your Lett' which relates to Talbot Mannour & also taking any
farther Step with respect to M' Edw*^ Tilghman, for I am afraid
Colonel Lloyd will scarcely chuse to accept his Books unless
they are perfected & setled, for which End only he has been
indulged so long. I am sorry M' Steuart thinks himself more
aggrieved by the Act for granting ^6000. than those who
contract for the Exportation of the Convicts from the inland
Prisons. M' Steuarts & the other Contractors Agents sell the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 295

Convicts they import from ^8 to ^20 S^ each, which People Letter Bk.i.
here think a pretty good Premium for their Passage, & hope
M'' Steuart would have no cause to complain of a hard Bargain
tho he was to receive none of the Bounty that is allowed by
Act of Parliament for transporting Felons from England to
these Plantations. In Pens^ & some of the Islands they
imposed ^5 -^ poll on them, & obliged the Purchasers to give
Security for their good Behaviour; I shall be glad to hear
therefore that IVP Steuart is content to pay_^i for four or five
years, when the Act will expire, on Condition there be no p- '65
additional Duty imposed on them. In fact the Twenty Shil-
lings of which M' Steuart complains is paid by the purchaser
to whom the Contractor's Factors sell the Convicts accord-
ingly ; but if 'twould be more agreeable I imagine the Lower
House might be prevailed on to take the Duty off the Importer
& lay it on the purchaser. It is the Opinion of our Lawyers
as it was the Intention of the Assembly that the Naval Officers
are obliged by their Oath & the words of the Act to demand
the Duty of Twenty Shillings on every Convict that is imported
& sold as a Servant for Seven Years, & if you please to recur
to the Account of Importations you will see that from that
Duty will arise a great part of the money that is to sink the
_^6ooo. that was granted by that Act ; so that if that part of the
Act was to be rejected, the Ordinary Lycences will stand
Mortgaged for 3 or 4 years longer than they are (if the Act
stands as it is) at present engaged for. I have left Nothing
undone to get the Mannours platted as you desire returned me,
but have not been yet able to get them all, however I hope
to have them soon when they shall be properly entered in one
Book & transmitted by the first Opportunity. Your Scheme
for collecting the Rents by the Sheriffs we are now putting in
execution, I have engaged all the Sheriffs on this Side the
Bay to farm at 10 p' C & they are now executing proper
Indentures for that purpose & Col° Lloyd is doing the same on
the Eastern Shore but as there are some Tracts of uncultivated p- 166
Land in two or three Counties whose Owners are not in the
Country, I hope His Ldp or You will not insist on the Sheriffs
paying the Rents of them as they are not actually to be
obtained. You shall receive a List of all such Lands by a
speedy Conveyance & an Account how they are circumstanced,
the Rents of them will not amount to any considerable Sum,
but whatever it be, the Lands will be charged therewith in the
Agents Books, that His Ldp might recover the Arrears when
the Lands shall become occupied or are sold. The Disputes
concerning the Divisional Lines between His Ldp's Province &
the Delaware Counties as well as the Incorrectness of the Rent
Roll has been the Occasion that long Arrears are due on some

296 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Lands that lye near the Line, these Arrears the Sheriffs are
to endeavour to obtain & obliged to account for only when
they can receive them, but they are to be accountable for all
Rents that shall become due on such Lands from this time.
I have frequently writ to M' Edw"* Tilghman insisting on his
immediate Completion & Perfection of the Rent Roll & Debt
Books that it is his Business to adjust, & he has as often
assured me that he was busily employed in doing so, Could
Col° Lloyd have gotten all the old Rental Books & Papers out
of his hands soon after my Arrival or before now, I would have
readily agreed to his Dismissal for not perfecting the Books
before, tho he attributes it all to his Predecessor in the Office ;
however I desired Coll Lloyd to refuse the payment of his

p- '67 Sallary till he had done what was required of him, & if Coll
Lloyd approves thereof I will superceed him as soon as
he comes to Annapolis, by which time I hope to receive your
Answer & Instrucdons to my Letter on M' Plater's Decease,
which will remove the Difficulty I shall otherwise lye under
about the Disposal of the Naval Office of Potuxent, in case M'
Darnal be to keep the Rent Roll, which indeed I think is the
best Office for him & will give the Assembly less Cause or
Opportunity than any other Office to remonstrate about the
Religion & Education of his Family. I do not beleive & never
heard that any secret Profitts accrued to the Rent Roll Keepers,
the Sallaries paid them are as you see them charged in
the Agents annual Accounts.

The Treasurers Offices are worth some years near ^200 &
other years not ^30 each, their Profitts arising from a Com-
mission of five -p C' on all Money p'^ them by the Naval
Officers, when many Negroe Ships arrived these Offices were
valuable but at present they are inconsiderable. Coll Lloyd
is Treasurer for the Eastern & Colo Hammond for the Western
Shore. Be pleased to think & assure his Ldp that I shall con-
tinue to take every proper Step to prevent the Pensilvanians
Incroachments on his Ldp's Province till the Determination in
his Ldp's favour which I hope soon to hear of shall bring about
a final Setdement of the Divisional Lines & all Disputes.

My Commission to Col° Plater to Act as your Deputy was dated
the 14"' of March so that to that Day M' Jennings is account-
able to you. I am obliged to His Ldp for leaving it to me to

p. 16S appoint either of the Gent" I before recommended (except M'
Dulany) to be of His Ldp's Council, & as His Ldp seems
desirous that Members of the Lower House should have the
Preference as often as possible I recommend Coll Robert
lenkins Henry for His Ldp's Approbation, tho I must confess
that I should have been glad M' Dulany had not been thought
improper to succeed to a Seat at that Board.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 297

My only reason is that he is esteemed a Gent" of the best Letter Bk.i.
natural & acquired Abilities of any in His Ldp's Gov' & at the
same time looked on to be a Person of strict honour. What
other People's Opinion of him may be I know not, but I am
inclined to think he may be found of good Service if engaged
in His Ldp's Interest, & not to be regained should he ever
declare himself otherwise than a Friend to His Ldp's Measures
& Gov' I will give him & M' Tasker a hint on what you men-
tion tho I am apt to think M' Dulany has received but litde
Benefit from that Office. Inclosed is the Bill of Excha that
you sent protested renewed & herewith also you receive the
Acts that were made last Session which were not dll now
printed. I have sent you the last Pens^ Gazettes which speak
of another French Man of War's having fallen into the hands
of the English. I know not what Credit is to be given to the
Report as it does not seem to be very authendck. It has been
said that the greatest part of Admiral Boscawen's Fleet was
to sail to England this Fall ; & we are told that General lohn-
son having almost finished the Fort which he has been building p- 169
at the Carrying Place near Lake George is about to return
home with most of the Provincial Troops for want of sufficient
Supplies of Provisions, for the Troops that have joined him
since the 8"" of Sepf General Shirley was preparing the 9"^ of
last Month to make a Descent on Fort Frontenacor Cataracui
but as I have not since heard from him I begin to fear he has
found it impracticable I have not heard from Fort Cumber-
land since I writ last, but it is said that the Indians have lately
disappeared with a Design (a Person who fell into their hands
says) to deliver their Captives & Scalps at Fort Du Ouesne &
then return in greater Numbers. Beside Capt Dagworthy's
Company at Fort Cumberland I have posted two small Com-
panies of Men on the Frontiers & have ordered a Party of 30
Men from each County on this Side the Bay to range on the
Frontiers during the Space of one Month from their Arrival
there, two of the Parties are already marched & that from
hence will march Saturday Morning. This Step will I hope
hinder more of the People from leaving their Plantations be-
yond Conegogee tho I doubt such Troops are not to be much
relyed on. with &c.

[Captain Spry to Sharpe.] original.

Fougueux in Halifax
Harbour the 20"' of Ocf 1755
Sir

Admiral Boscawen being sail'd for England and having
honour'd me with the Command of all his Majesty's Ships and
Vessels he has thought proper to leave in this Harbour, as

298 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

well as those Station'd at the Bahama Islands, and the different
Colony's of North America ; A List whereof I herewith Trans-
mit you, that you may be a judge of his Majesty's Naval Force
still remaining in those Seas.

As the Winter Season advances apace, and Admiral Bosca-
wen was pretty well assured before he Sail'd, that the Garrison
of Louisburg woud receive no more Supplies from France this
year, he therefore directed me to lay up the great Ships and
secure them for the Winter, that I may be the better enabled
to proceed to Sea as Early in the Spring as the Season will
permit. And Cruize in such a manner as shall be ludg'd most
proper to distress the French both at Louisburg and Quebec;
and you may be assured I shall use all the means in my power
to prevent any Supplies of Men or Provisions from being
thrown into either of those places ; Or Operate in any other
manner as shall be thought most Adviseable for distressing,
or destroying, the common Enemy, and for the protection of
his Majesty's American Colony's; In Executing which Service
I shall on all occasions pay great deference to your Advice, as
I am Sensible your Excellency is very capable of informing me
properly.

I shall not fail to send you from time to time all the Intelli-
gence that may come to my knowledge of any Designs the
French may form against any of His Majesty's Colony's; and
I must also desire that you woud please to Communicate to
me any advice you may receive of the like Nature, that I may
endeavour by all means possible to disapoint their Shemes.

I am

Your Excellency's

Most Humble & Obedient Servant

R Spry.

His Excellency Govern'' Sharpe, Maryland

A List of Ships and Vessels under the Command of Richard
Spry Esq"^ Captain of His Majesty's Ship Fougeux.

Ships Names

Fougeux

guns
64

500 1

where Stationed

Litchfield

50

330

Norwich

50

330

- Halifax

Centurion

54

400

Success

20

130

Vulture Sloop

14

90 J

Mermaid

20

1 30 Boston

Nightingale

20

1 30 New York

Guarland

22

130 Virginia

Syren

20

130 South CaroHna

Baltimore Sloop

16

90 North Carolina

Jamaica Sloop

14

90 Bahama's

RSpry

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 299

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Original.

Ocf 22^* 1755 —
My Lord

I have but just had the pleasure of receiving the Letter that
Your Lordship did me the honour to write the 14''' of May.
The Approbation your Lordship is pleased to express of my
past Conduct gives me inexpressible Satisfaction & I hope
your Lordship will be persuaded that it shall be my constant
study to merit the Continuance of your Lordships Favour.
Sooner than this the plan that was proposed for the Collection
of the Quit Rents could not be put in Execution, but the
Sheriffs do now farm them at 10 p ct. which is but half the
Preemium that was given when I was honoured with your
Lordships Commission. On this as well as your Lordships
other Affairs I have writ fully to M' Calvert who will submit
my Letters to your Lordship & signify to me your Lordships
pleasure thereon — I have not heard from General Shirley since
the (f" of last Month whence I am afraid he finds it impossible
to execute any thing this Fall ; it is reported too that the
French Men of War which were in Louisburg have given the
English Squadron the slip, «& that Admiral Boscawen with the
greatest part of the Fleet under his Command is returned to
Halifax & about to sail for England. We are also told that
since the Action which happened on the 8"" of Septem' General
Johnson has been reinforced by five or Six Thousand Men from
New England but that being unable to proceed to Crown
Point he was constructing a place of Defence at the Carrying
Place near Lake George wherein he would leave a strong Gar-
rison & the Rest of the Forces would return to their respective
homes.

I have not heard that any Mischief has been done on the
Frontiers of your Lordships Province since I writ last to M"
Calvert, but a Person who was lately taken Prisoner & carried
almost to Fort Du Ouesne by the Indians before he made his
Escape says that he heard them threaten to return & pay
us another Visit as soon as they had delivered up their
Prisoners & Scalps to the French Commandant & received
their Reward. I cannot find that they have killed many Peo-
ple on this side Potowmack but it is said that some hundreds
of the distant Lihabitants of Virginia are missing & their
Houses burnt. I have posted two partys of Men on our Fron-
tiers which I hope will be of Service till some Measures that
may be taken at home in Consequence of the Action on the
Monongahela shall afford Us better Assistance & Protection.
With the Utmost respect and Duty I am
Your Lordships most Devoted and
Annapolis most Obed. Humble Serv'

October 22'^ 1755 Hor° Sharpe

30O Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to John Sharpe.l

p. 151

Annapolis Ocf 24"' 1755

In this part of America Affairs remain as they were when I
writ last, we lose an Inhabitant sometimes by Parties of
Indians that make Incursions on our Frontiers while the Dis-
pute that subsists between the Lower House & us concerning
the Appropriation of Ordinary Lycence Fines puts it out of
my Power to protect or provide for the Safety of the poor
wretches whose distant situation exposes them to the Bar-
barities of our Savage Enemy. May some Steps be taken at
home to determine the Controversy ! this Province is otherwise
in a very unhappy State & Condition. I find M' Steuart who
contracts for the Transportation of Convicts from London is
endeavouring to get the Law that we passed last Summer
(granting _;^6ooo for his Majesty's Service) repealed because it
imposed a Duty of twenty Shillings on every Convict that
shall be imported into the Province ; People here are apt to
think that M' Steuart as well as the other Contractors might
have been well content to pay so small a Sum while they sell
Convicts to our Planters from ^8 to ^20 St*^ each, when less
than £(i is a reasonable Premium for the Conveyance or
Passage of any Person from England hither. It is reported
that General Shirley has found it impracticable to make a
Descent on either of the French Forts on Lake Ontario this
p. 152 year & that the Provincial Troops under the Command of
General lohnson will at this time proceed no farther, what
Credit is to be given to these Reports I know not having
received no Lett'^ from the Northw'' since the End of last
Month.

[Sharpe to William Sharpe.]

24"> Oct'
D'B'

I have received the Extracts out of the Council Records
respecting the Statute of the 6'" of Queen Ann concerning the
Emission of Paper money that you let M' Calvert have,
I shall take Care for the future to comply with the Orders
contained in those Extracts neither do I conceive that the
Law which was passed here soon after my Arrival regulating
the Value of Coin is in the least contrary thereto, for our
Act does not make the Coin or Paper Money of which it
speaks a Legal Tender in all Payments but only in discharge
of publick Levies & Officers Fees. I am apt to think that the
Disallowance of the Act of the Jersey Assembly that you let

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 301

me have a Copy of by M' Calvert will make that Province as Letter Bk. 11.
averse to granting any farther Supplies for His Majesty's
Service as the Assemblies of Pens'" & Maryland have proved.
Unless the Legislature of Great Britain interferes & orders
what we shall each do these Colonies seem to be in a very
unhappy State & Condition, the Indians make Incursions &
cut off our Inhabitants while the Dispute that subsists between
the Branches of our Legislature concerning the Appropriation
of Ordinary Lycence Fines puts it out of my Power to take any
measures to protect them. It is said General Shirley finds a p. 153
Descent on either of the French Forts on Ontario this year
impracticable & that General lohnson is also at his Ne plus
Ultra, I know not what Credit is to be given to such Reports
but I begin to fear they are not without foundation —

[Sharpe to Doctor Sharpe.]

Oct' 24"' by M"^ Wayne —
D'D^

Instead of a long Lett' which an Unwillingness to deprive
M' Wayne of the Pleasure he may take in communicating to
you what has occurred here since his Arrival makes me at this
time decline writing, I will inclose you a Map of the British
Settlements in N America & a lournal of the Proceedings of
our Assembly at their last meeting ; The latter will shew you
(if you think it worth while to peruse it) how unhappily our
Affairs are circumstanced & that such Disputes subsist between
the several Branches of this Legislature as will prevent our
taking any Steps for our own Defence unless the Parliament
of Great Britain shall think proper to interfere & decide
or make us wave the Points in Controversy. I desire you will
not be surprized at seeing I am become a Favourer of our
Religion's Enemies, & that whatever Credit you give to those
that would insinuate as much, you will give the greatest to me
when I declare that I am with the highest Esteem

¥■■ obliged & most affec'^ B'

P. S M' Ridout has informed you how
that Affair of M'" Tiffens is circumstanced
I do not see what Releif she can get unless
She will divide w"" the Commissioners the money that
is in her Attorneys hands.

302 Correspoiidence of Governor Sharpe.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]
Ocf 26. 1755 — transmitted by M' Wayne —

Letter Bk/i. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p. 169

Sir

In my other Letter I have observed that the Arrearages that

P- 170 become due on Absentees Lands will be charged in the Agents
Books & recovered when such Lands become occupied or
shall be sold, perhaps you may ask why are they not attached
& sold immediately to satisfy the Arrears of Rents that are
due? The reason is that upon such an Attachment the
Premisses must be valued by a Jury who in this Country
would never fail to appraise the Land at much more than it is
worth or would sell for so that if His Ldp was to take the
Land according to the Appraisement he would very likely
have as much to pay to the Owner of the Land as it was really
worth. You seem surprized that M"^ Darnal should have
known the purport of the Conversation between M' Plater &
me, you must not wonder at such things as those for I can
assure you however secret I desire to keep our Proceedings
here, they by some means transpire. Every word that you
have dropt before M' Harrison or any other of our Gent"
whom you have been kind enough to receive has been known
on their Arrival, & scarcely any thing is said by you relative
to His Ldp's Affairs or any Person in the Province but is com-
municated to some of our Gentl" by their Correspondents in
London indeed sometimes these Correspondents take the
Liberty to send for News what never happened as they did
when they advised the Attorney Gen' that he was actually
appointed to a Seat in the Council & also Naval Officer of
Potuxent. I before hinted to you the Cause that M' Dulany
was not returned a Member at the last general Election of
Representatives & that M' Key was rejected at the same
Election almost on the same Account. They had both in the
preceeding Session vehemently opposed & spoke against the

P- '^i Bills that were brought into the Lower House ag" Papists,
this was reported much to their Disadvantage in their respec-
tive Counties & much lessened their Interest. M"^ Dulany
would have offered himself Candidate for this City, but as his
Brother Walter who has represented it many years, & AT
Bordley had been canvassing. I did not urge him thereto
especially as I at that time entertained hopes of his being
approved to succeed his Father in the Council. At M' Tasker's
Request I appointed him joint Commissary, for such an Assist-
ant M' Tasker told me the Business of the Office requires; As
joint Commissary he has principally transacted the Business
of the Office, w"*" must of necessity interfere a great Deal with
his Practice as a Lawyer, because he must often give his Advice

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 303

& sit as ludge when he would otherwise be retained by one of Letter Bk.
the Contending Parties & in the Caracter of an Advocate
receive a good Fee. This being the Case & the whole profitts
of the Office not very large, one cannot be very much sur-
prized at his asking leave to resign as I have already told you
he sometime since did. He continues as yet to Assist M"^
Tasker till I receive your Instructions for appointing some
Gent" to succeed him for M' Tasker cannot (& will not I suppose)
undertake to execute the Duties of the Office alone. I shall
be glad to make M' Darnal easy because you desire he
should be made so, but I hope he will not be approved of
as one of the Council lest it should Occasion great Uneasi-
ness & Dissatisfaction among the People One of the
Offices you mention will I hope satisfy his wishes as His being p. 172
Attorney Gen' has gained him a good Deal of Practice in
the Law for which he was not educated. If ever I see a
Probability of carrying such an Act as you desire for the Col-
lection of the Quit Rents you may be assured I will embrace
the Opportunity. You seem to apprehend that much Income
is lost to his Ldp by his Tenants dividing & selling their
Land in seperate Parcells or bequeathing it in IVIoieties by
Testament. As all Wills are returned to & recorded in the
Commissary's Office, he makes out & returns to the Rent- Roll
Keepers every half year a List of Bequests specifying by
whom every Tract of Land was bequeathed & how divided, so
that each Share might be charged in the Rent-Roll & Debt
Book to the Person to whom it is bequeathed : & as all Deeds
of Bargain & Sale are to be recorded in the Courts before they
are valid the several Clerks return similar Lists of such Lands
as are sold whole or in Parcells to the Rent Roll Keeper & the
Lands so alienated are charged in the Rent-Roll & Debt-Books
accordingly. It is possible that Lands may sometimes be given
away by Deeds of Trust as I observed in my Letter of the 15"'
Sepf 1754, but as soon as such a Transaction is discovered a
proper Entry is made in the Rent Rolls, & till it be discovered
the Rents on the Land so made away remains charged to the
old Possessor. As there is room to beleive from your Letter p. 173
& M' Stewart's Memorial that that Memorial would not have
been presented if M' Steuart had not been given to understand
by M' Phil Hammond last December that a second Duty of
20/ was about to be imposed, I hope M' Steuart will rest
contented when he finds no such second Duty was imposed &
that the Proposal to impose such a second Duty was made an
Objection to the Bill by the Upper House; I say on these
Considerations & your promise that he has nothing farther to
fear after the present Law expires which will be in four or five
years, I hope he will make no Objection to pay the^i a poll

304 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. On the Convicts that he imports, otherwise we shall be involved
in great Difficulties about replacing the _;^6ooo that was
granted by that Act of July 1754 for His Majesty's Service &
is now expended. There is nothing of a particular or extra-
ordinary Nature in the Laws, or that requires Explanation or
Observations ; the Bill to prevent the Exportation of Provisions
to the French Colonies is litde more than the former Act that
expired, & is similar to those that have been made this Summer
in the several other Govern'^ I have just received a Letter
from General Shirley dated the 7"" Inst wherein he tells me
that the Report I mentioned in my other Lett' concerning
his Inability to act offensively this Summer is too well founded,
& earnestly desires me to meet himself Gov' Hardy &
Gov' Morris at N York the 7"' of next Month to advise with
them on taking some measures for making an early Campaign
p. 174 next Spring in some part of the Continent. I am afraid we
shall find ourselves unable to put any Plan that shall be con-
certed in Execution for want of Money & the necessary Sup-
plies (the Assemblies being not to be depended on) but as he
tells me such a Congress is at this time expedient & absolutely
necessary for his Majesty's Service I cannot refuse to take the
Journey hoping that his Ldp will not be displeased at my
Absenting from his Govern' for about a fortnight on such an
Occasion, & I hope you will be pleased to assure his Ldp that
I will take Care to leave M' Tasker all the necessary powers
& Instructions for the well Gov' of the Province till I can
return again hither. With &c.

Letter Bk. II.
p. 154

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

Ocf 28.
S'

Y' Fav' of the 3'' I received & also the Map that you was
kind enough to procure & send me by Montgomerie. You
will herewith receive a Packett from Gen' Shirley containing I
presume the minutes of two Councils of war that the General
lately called that will shew you how Affairs stand at Ontario.
He tells me that he intends to be at New York the 7"" of next
month & desires I will meet himself, Gov' Hardy & Gov'
Morris there at that time, I know not what can be con-
certed or effected while such Disputes subsist in several of
the Colonies, but as the General desires it I am preparing to
set off for N York next Friday. It is reported that Gen' John-
son will proceed no farther this Season, I dont know w' Credit
is to be given to the Report, tho I am inclined to think it is not
entirely with' foundadon. M' Gray did act as Brigade Major

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 305

at Fort Cumberland when I was there in the Winter, he has Letter Bk. 11.
the Reputation of a good Ofificer, & on Account of His Losses
I should be glad to have it in my Power to join with you in
acknowledging his Services, I am sorry to tell you that the
Case is far otherwise at present & that Gov' Morris & myself
are equally in a State of Inability, I expect to return hither
in about 3 weeks when I will again embrace another Oppor-
tunity of assuring you that I am

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sunday evening Nov"' 2^ i755-
Sir

I had the favour of yours this morning, and was in hopes
you would have been here this day, but imagin the Badness of
the weather prevented you from moving so soon, or so fast
as you intended.

I am sorry the affairs of my Province are such, that I cannot
have the Pleasure of attending you to New York, which I fully
intended to have done, but the Inclosd Intelligence will shew
you what Circumstances we are in, and my Assembly meets
to morrow upon the occasion; what they will do time must
discover; but if they have any regard for the Lives and safetys
of their Constituents, they will certainly strengthen the Hands
of the Government so as to enable it to repell these cruel
invasions — I expect you will honour me with your Company
at my House and I have a bed for M' Ridout.

The Sherref of this City & County waits on you to Conduct
you to town and if I am not able to meet you at the ferry he
will Bring you to Sir

Your Most Obed' Humble

Serv'
Rob" H. Morris
Gov"^ Sharpe

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir

I hope this will find you well and either arrivd at New
York or nigh it.

Last night an express arrivd with the inclosd intelligence
from the westward, soon after which my Assembly sent me a
message a copy of which attends you with this, proposing to
Inquire what Injustice had been done the Indians now employd
in scalping the Inhabitants, and assuring me that they would
endeavour to regain their friendship, such Language at this
time, and while the Province is under its present Circumstances,

3o6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

seems to me very Extraordinary, but is of a piece with the rest
of their behaviour ; upon this answer and intelHgence I propose
to set off for the back County s, to put things into some order
and do what I can for the safety and defence of the People,
tho' very httle is in my power.

Herewith I send you a letter that came under Cover to me
from the Secretary of State, as also one from the Lords of
trade and am in great hast

Sir
Your Most obed'
Humble Serv'
Philadelphia 6"^ Novem"' 1755. Rob' H: Morris

To Gov' of Maryland

Original. [Shirley to Sharpe.]

Albany Nov' 16"' 1755
Dear Sir,

I receiv'd your Letter of the ninth Instant, and it gives me
great Concern to find you had been so long at New York in
expectation of meeting me there, & that at last you was oblig'd
to return to your Governm' without seeing me: Nothing but
the necessity of unforeseen Business of the greatest Conse-
quence, w"^** hath inevitably detain'd me here, & will do so five
or six days longer, should have occasion'd this disappointment
to yourself & me.

Notwithstanding that it may seem unreasonable to the last
Degree for me to request you to take the Trouble of a second
Visit to New York, yet your presence there, as is herein after
desir'd appears to me to be of so great Consequence that I
venture to make it.

The Inclos'd will shew you what I am order'd to do by the
Lords Justices; I think the concerting a general plan of Opera-
tions for the ensuing year a work of very great Consequence to
his Majesty's Service & all the Colonies, and will be the most
effectual means for putting an End to Mischiefs now reyning
in your own Government, & preventing the like for the future;
and I can't but think if you can possibly attend the Council I
shall hold at New York on the first or second of December,
if possible, without very extraordinary Inconveniencies &
Danger's arising to your Province from your Absence for a few
Days, it would greatly promote the publick Good, & be well
taken by his Majesty's Ministers: If this Opportunity is lost
a Congress of Gov" can't be had this year; & his Majesty's
Service, I am perswaded, must suffer greatly for want of it.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 307

I beg, the Instant you receive this, in case you shall not
meet me, you will dispatch your Answer to me at New York
to let me know it.

I am with great Truth & Esteem,

Dear Sir
Your faithfull, Humble Servant
W Shirley.
Hon'''"= Horatio Sharpe Esq'

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir

The enclosed Letter I receiv'd from Commodore Spry &
have taken the first opportunity of forwarding it to you.

I am sorry that I cannot acquaint you, of my Assembly's
having fallen into such Measures for the present Defence of
the back Parts of the Province, that I could have comply'd
with. But it seems, as if it was determin'd that we shall never
agree —

They have indeed sent me such a Militia Bill, as never was
thought of in any other Country; And I am afraid, was
intended to answer no Purpose, but amuse the People.

I am
Sir
Your most obed'

humble serv
Rob' H: Morris
Philadelphia
Nov' 22'' 1755.

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir

I have the Honour of your Excellencys of the 20"" Instant,
and am sorry you have been obliged to stay so long for Gen'
Shirley, but hope the Company of the many agreable Ladies
in New York have in some measure made amends for the
want of business, I am sure I have wish'd myself with you
ever since you went from hence, not only on account of
the pleasure I always enjoy in your Company, but to be free
from the plague of having to do with an obstinate Assembly,
who seem to have no regard for the safety of the province. —

The Indians have attack'd and destroyed one of the Moravian
Settlements near the Forks of Delaware, call'd Mahony, and
have put to death all the people except two ; This will make
it very difficult for me to attend the General at New York, as
I must try every thing to induce the Assembly to provide for

3o8 Correspondence of Governor Shai'pe.

the defence of the province but at present can't say whether
anything will be done or not, They have indeed pass'd a
Militia Bill, but with no other view, but that I shoud refuse it,
and then to raise a Clamour against me on that account, but
as it is of such a nature as cannot be carried into execution, I
have disappointed them and given my consent to it. —

I have wrote to the General not to depend upon my being
at York, but will however strain hard for the pleasure of
spending at least one day there tho' I dare not be too sanguine
in my hopes of doing so, least I shoud be disappointed.

I am very glad the French near lohnson are not so numerous
as they were represented if they were I know not in what
manner we shoud resist them. I wish you health and pleasure
I am Sir

Your Most obed' Humble Serv'
Rob' H: Morris
Nov' 1755
Gov' Sharpe.

;. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.]

■74

N York the 25'*" of Novem. 1 755 —
Sir

The 8"' of this Month I arrived here & have been every Day
since expecting General Shirley from Albany where he tells
me in a Lett' dated the 16''' which I yesterday rec"* from him
" he has been detained by the Necessity of unforeseen Business
of the greatest Consequence but gives me Room to expect him
some Day this week at farthest. Finding it impracticable to
make an Attempt on either of the French on Ontario Lake this
Season the General has left 700 Men of his own & S' W""
Pepperells Regiments at Oswego under the Command of Lieu'
Col° Mercer & taken the Rest of those Regiments down
to Winter in the inhabited Parts of this Province. Some
175 Gent" of this City have been informed by their Correspondents
at Albany that on the i 2"' & 1 3''' Inst. Expresses arrived there
from General Johnson's Camp on Lake George with Letters
importing that a Body of 8000 or 9000 of the Enemy had been
discovered by some Indian Scouts on the East Side of the
Lake within 20 Miles of the English Army & advancing
towards them. On the Receipt of this Intelligence it seems
General Shirley called a Council of War & Impress-Warrants
were issued for all the Waggons & Horses that could be got
to carry Provisions up to the Army: Col° Scuyler with the
Jersey Regiment that was just come to Albany from Oswego
& some Provincial Troops that had w"" leave left General
lohnson a few Days before marched to reinforce him & the

Correspondence of Governor Skarpe. 309

two British Regiments were ordered to prepare to follow Letter Bk.i.
them. Later Letters from Albany persuade Us that the
Report of the Indian Scouts was groundless & tell us that
upon General Johnson's having intimated as much by second
Letters the March of the British Regiments had been counter-
manded. . . Upon the Indians making Incursions into Pens'*
towards the End of last Month & murthering many of the
Inhabitants Gov' Morris convened the Assembly & intreated
them to consider of the unhappy Condition of their Defenceless
Country & make some Provision for the Safety of the Inhabit-
ants the Assembly has been sitting ever since but notwith-
standing the Indians continue their Depredations have renewed
their Disputes with the Gover"^ & absolutely refused to grant
any money unless by a Land Tax to which the Proprietary's
Reserved Lands should be subjected as well as his Tenant's p- 176
Estates, I dont know whether they have yet concluded the
Session but I take it for granted that the Issue thereof will be
just the same as was that of the preceeding when I left
Annapolis I desired M' Tasker to send me immediate Advice
if any thing extraordinary should happen in his Ldp's Gov'
during my Absence or if any Indians should appear again upon
our Frontiers, As I have not received any Letter & do not
hear that any Mischief has been done there I conclude that
things remain in tlie same Situation that they were when I left
Maryland & as they will I hope till I return again thither.

[Sharpe to John & William Sharpe.] better Bk. 11.

New York. Nov 25"' 1755 —
D'B^

In Compliance with Gen' Shirley's Request I have every
Day since the 8"' Inst, here expected his Arrival from Albany
where he tells me in a Letf dated the 1 6'*" that I yesterday
received he has been detained by the necessity of unforeseen
Business of the greatest Consequence contrary to his Expecta-
tions & Appointment, & in the same Lett' desires me if
possible to defer my Return to Maryland a few Days longer
arguing it will be well taken by His Majesty's Ministers as our
having an Interview at this time is expedient & likely to
promote the publick Good. Finding an Attempt on either of
the French Forts on Lake Ontario this Season impracticable
He has left 700 men of his own & S' W"" Pepperell's Regi-
ments at Oswego under the Command of Lieut Col° Mercer &
taken the Rest of those Regiments down to winter in the
inhabited Parts of the Province. Some Gentlemen of this City
were informed last week by their Correspondents at Albany

3IO Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. that on the 12"' & 13"' Inst. Expresses arrived there from
General lohnsons Camp on Lake George with Lett" importing
that a Body of 8000 or 9000 French & Indians had been dis-
covered by his Scouts within 20 Miles of his Encampment or
Fort & advancing towards it, On the Receipt of this Intelli-

p. 156 gence the General called Gov' Hardy Lieu' Governor Delancey
& all the Field Officers that were at Albany to a Council of
war & on their breaking up Impress- Warrants were issued for
all the Waggons & Horses that could be got to carry Pro-
visions up to the Army. Col° Scuyler with the Jersey Regiment
that was just come to Albany from Oswego & some Provincial
Troops that had with leave left General lohnson a few Days
before marched towards Lake George to reinforce him & the
two British Regiments were ordered to prepare to follow them,
but General lohnson intimadng in the mean time that such a
motion seemed to him unnecessary & that the Scout's Report
was without Foundation the Orders that General Shirley had
given were countermanded & the People's Apprehensions of
Danger begin to decrease. General lohnson I suppose will
garrison the Fort that he is building on Lake George with
some of the Men under his Command & send the Rest home
for Winter Quarters. Upon the Indians making Incursions
into Pens^" about a month ago & murthering many of the
Inhabitants Gov' Morris convened the Assembly of that
Province & intreated them to take some measures to preserve
their Country & enable the People to make some Defence,
the Assembly has been sitting ever since but done nothing

p. 157 because the Governor will not pass an Act to tax the Pro-
prietary's Estate as well as those of his Tenants, the Gov'
tells me they had sent him a Miliria Bill but such a One
as was never thought of in any other Country & seems
to be calculated to answer no Purpose farther than to
amuse the People, thus are we unhappily circumstanced (for
I think I may speak of Maryland as of Pensilvania) & for
want of having these Controversies in some manner deter-
mined the Proprietaries & their Tenants are equal Sufferers.
We impatiently desire to know what Steps will be taken
in Consequence of General Braddocks Defeat & the Issue of
this Campaign, for my own Part I hope not less than four or
five Regiments will be sent over & beleive that that Number
with those that are already here & three or four Thousand
Irregulars will find enough Business on their hands if it
is determined to cut off the Communication between the
Enemy's Northern & Southern Setdements. this Year's
Experience I flatter myself has demonstrated that the Colonies
are not to be depended on for Assistance & unless the People
are obliged by an Act of Parliament to furnish Horses
Waggons &c & to the utmost of their Power to forward any

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 311

future Expedition it will be in vain to concert Plans for Letter Bk. 11.
Conquest or undertake any Enterprize on the Continent
of America —

P, S. to that Copy that was sent to W"* Sharpe Esq"" the
26"" I have just been informed by S' lohn S' Clair who
arrived this morning from Albany that the General has come to a p. 158
Resolution to raise two more Regiments on the Establishment
in America this winter, this I presume he is impowered to do
by the Instructions that he has lately received from home ; he
will not dispose of such Regiments when raised but leave it to
his Majesty to appoint the Colonels, As this is the Case

1 flatter myself you will not forget the Request I have already
made that you will exert your Interest in my favour &
endeavour to procure me the Command of one of them. I
apprehend that a sufficient Number of Men to compleat the
two Regiments will not be easily prevailed on to enlist but if
your Application shall succeed I am persuaded a Considerable
Number of Voluntiers will be found in my own Province —

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.]

N York Nov' 26'"
D'B'

Since I sent the Letf that I writ yesterday on board I have
been informed by S' I S' Clair who arrived from Albany this
morning that General Shirley has come to a Resolution to raise

2 more Regiments in America this winter, this I presume he
finds himself impowered to do by the Instructions w'^'' he has
lately received from home as Colonels are not already nomi-
nated for such two Regiments & the General will not take p- '59
upon himself to appoint any I should be glad you would
embrace this Opportunity of exerting your Interest in my
favour & endeavour to procure me the Command of one of
these Regiments; such a Nomination will enable me to raise

a considerable Number of Men in Maryland & I am apt to
think that unless some Gentlemen of Interest on the Continent
have the Command 'twill not be very easy to raise such a
number of Men in these Colonies. I hope Ld Baltimore will
not be averse to such a Step but it will be proper to consult
him thereon —

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter Bk. i.

N York the 27th of November 1755 —
MyLd

In compliance with General Shirley's Request of which
your Ldp has been advised I have been at this Place expecting

3 1 2 Correspondence of Governor Sharpc.

Bk. I. his Arrival ever since the 8"" Inst. & am desired by a Lett'
which a few Days ago I received from him to continue here
till the 2^ of Dec' when he hopes to have dispatched the Busi-
ness of the greatest Consequence which he says has inevitably
detained him at Albany so long beyond his Intention &
Appointment, finding an Attempt on either of the French-
Forts on Lake Ontario this year impracticable on Account of the
Season's being so far advanced before a sufficient quantity of

p- 177 Provisions & other Necessaries could be got to Oswego, & by
reason the French Garrisons both at Cataracui & Niagara
were found to be very strong. The General has employed
his Troops in strengthening Oswego with other Works & left
for the Defence thereof this Winter about 900 Men of his own
& S' W'" Pepperels Regiments under the Command of Lieut'
Col° Mercer We have at present on the Lake a Sloop &
Schooner that carry 6 Carriage & 20 Swivel Guns each but as
the French are building Vessels of greater Force at Cataracui
to dispute the Navigation of the Lake with us next Summer
it is said General Shirley will order some Vessels of more than
100 Ton Burthen to be set on the Stocks immediately & a
great Number of Whale Boats to be built this Winter as they
are found more proper for the Navigation of the Lake than
Battoes or any other small Craft. General lohnson is building
a Fort at the place where he was Encamped when the French
attacked him the 8"" Sept' it is about 40 Miles on this side
Crown Point on an Arm of Lake George & 70 miles from
Albany, twas reported that the two British Regiments would
releive the Provincials & garrison the Fort on Lake George
this winter but tis now said that a sufficient Number of General
Johnson's own Troops will be left there & that the Regiments
will take up their Winter Quarters at Albany where Barracks
are building for their Reception. I am told the General finds
himself impowered & is come to a Resolution to raise two
more Regiments in these Colonies, as it is very likely His
Majesty has not yet appointed any Colonels to such Regiments

p. 178 & as one of them will probably be ordered to Maryland &
Virginia I flatter myself from your Ldp's Kindness last Year in
permitting me to accept the Command of such Troops as
should then have been raised & to be absent from Your Ldp's
Gov' for a While if His Majesty's Service should so require,
that your Ldp will not be averse to my Friends making Appli-
cation on this Occasion in my favour & if Your Ldp approves
of such Request I will presume to hope that I shall not want
your Ldps kind Offices to procure me one of the Regiments
that are now to be raised. As I desired M' Tasker to send
me an Express Messenger to advise me if any thing extra-
ordinary should happen in your Ldp's Province during my

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 3 1 3

Absence (which I little expected would have been so long) or Letter Bk. i.
if the Indians should appear again on the Frontiers my having
received no Lett' from Annapolis since I left it makes me hope
that every thing is quiet there & that the Indians will not
venture to disturb your Ldps Tenants who are in some measure
protected by the Forts that are built in Frederick C'*' while
they find the Fronders of Pens" more easily approachable, &
there is little Probability of that Province being put in a better
posture of Defence while the Assembly refuses to make a good
Militia Law or to make any Provision for the Safety of the
Inhabitants. I am &c.

[Sharpe to Albemarle.] Letter Bk. 11.

p. 159

Nov. 27"' 1755 N York
My Ld

I have been at this place near three weeks waiting General
Shirley's Arrival from Albany where I find he has been detained
contrary to his Expectation so long after the time that he
desired me to be here at an Interview with S" Charles Hardy
Gov' Morris & himself. As our ill success in luly enabled the
Enemy to reinforce the Garrisons on the Lakes while the Diffi-
culty of getting a sufficient quantity of Provisions & those
things that were necessary for such an Enterprize to Oswego
early in the season made an Attempt on either of the French
Forts at Cataracui or Niagara impracticable this year General
Shirley contented himself with rendering Oswego more defen-
sible & building two small Vessels on Ontario Lake that carry
6 Carriage & 20 Swivel Guns each the French it seems to
prevent the ill Consequences that would follow our being
Masters of the Lake are building larger Vessels than Ours at p. 160
Cataracui w'^'' has determined Gen' Shirley to order two of
much greater force than those we already have to be built
immediately, that we may be able to dispute the Navigation of
the Lake w^*" seems to be of greater Consequence than any
other Place or Pass on the Continent. The better to secure
w' we already possess on Ontario & be the more able to reduce
the French Forts thereon in the Spring the General has come
to a Resolution to raise two more Regiments in these Colonies
this winter, this I presume he is impowered to do by the
Instructions that he has lately received, but I find that he is not
authorised to appoint Colonels to them & that they are not
yet disposed of: Your Ldp will excuse me if the many
Instances that I have received of your Ldp's Kindness & favour
encourage me to ask your Ldps good Offices on this Occasion
& to hope that your Ldp will wish me to have the Command

314 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. of One of them. It is said that the Provincial Troops consist-
ing of about 2700 that are under the Command of General
lohnson could not be persuaded to proceed after the Action
on Lake George but they have built a pretty strong Fort there
& another about 20 miles on this side which will be garrisoned
one with 600 & the other with 300 of the Provincials while the
rest return home for winter quarters. The men that we have
raised in Maryland & posted on our Frontiers deter the Indians
from appearing there but I hear that Pens-^ which is quite
defenceless & on Account of the Disputes that subsist between
p- 161 the Gov"^ & Assembly likely to continue so suffers severely by
the Incursions of the Indians who have lately approached
within 60 miles of Phil''' & laid waste the Country —

[Sharpe to Hanbury.]

Nov^27"> 1755—
Si

At the Request of General Shirley I am expecting him at
this place where he tells me he is desirous of having an Inter-
view w''' S"^ Cha Hardy, Gov' Morris & myself. The General is
now at Albany where he tells me he has been detained by some
Business of the greatest Importance but promises to leave it
about this time. As it was found impracticable to make any
Attempt on the French Forts at Cataracui or Niagara this year
on Account of the Enemy's Strength at those places as well as
the want of sufficient quantities of Provision which could
not be got up to Oswego till very late in the summer, the
General employed himself in building some Vessels on the
Lake & making Oswego more defensible ; to garrison it this
winter he has left about 800 Men of his own & S' W" Pep-
perell's Regiments, & the Rest at some litde Forts that are
built on the Mohawks River & the Oneida Lake between
Albany & Ontario. The General I am informed is impowered
& is come to a Resolution to prepare for the next Campaign
by raising two more Regiments in these Colonies this winter
which will be on the Establishment, As the General will not
162 take upon himself to appoint Colonels to them & as I presume
they are not already disposed of, encourag'd by the Readiness
you shewed last year to do me Service I take the Liberty to
desire your Interest on this Occasion & flatter myself you will
not refuse to favour my Sollicitation. General lohnson is
building a Fort on an Arm of Lake George where he was
attacked by the French in Sepf last but obliged them to retire
with the Loss it is said of 100 or 200 of their Men & their
General the Baron de Dieskau who lies ill of his wounds in this
City. When General lohnson has finished his Fort he will

Correspoidencc of Governor Skarpe. 315

garrison it with some of the 2700 Provincial Troops that are Letter bu. 11.
with him & permit the Rest to return home for Winter
Quarters ; The Indians have lately done a great Deal of
Mischief in Pens'" & continue still to make Incursions & cut off
the Inhabitants who make no Defence & by w' I can learn are
not likely to be put in abetter Posture as the Gov' & Assembly
cannot come to any Agreement about raising a Sum of Money
for that Purpose.

[Proceedings of Council of War.] Original.

At a Council of War held by His Excellency W'" Shirley
Esq' General & Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's
Forces in North America at N York on Friday the 1 2"'' Day of
Dec' 1755

Present

His Excellency William Shirley Esq' General &c
His Excellency Sir Charles Hardy Kn' Governor &

Commander in Chief of the Province of New York.
The Hon''"-' Hor° Sharpe Lieut' Governor & Commander

in Chief of the Province of Maryland.
The Hon''''= Robert Hunter Morris Lieut' Governor &

Commander in Chief of the Province of Pensilvania.
The Hon"'' Thomas Fitch Governor & Commander

in Chief of the Colony of Connecticutt.
Colonel Thomas Dunbar
Major Charles Craven

S' John S' Clair Deputy Quarter Master General
Major lames Kinneer.
Major lohn Rutherford.

The Generals Commission being read together with Part of
a Letter to him dated the 28''' of last August from The Right
Hon*^"'" S' Thomas Robinson one of His Majesty's Principal
Secretaries of State & part of His Majesty's Seventh Instruc-
tion to the late General Braddock ; Several Points of Rank
which were moved by some of the Members of the Council
were setled after which His Excellency adjourned the Council
to the Next Day at 9 o Clock in the Forenoon —

Saturday December the 13"' 1755 The Council met
according to Adjournment present as before together with
Colonel Peter Schuyler.

His Excellency acquainted the Council that he had convened
them to give their Opinion & Advice upon a Plan of Opera-
tions which he proposes for the next years Campaign in order
to effect the several services he is directed by His Majesty's

31 6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Instructions to carry into Execution. That in Order to inform
them fully of the State of those Services, it was necessary for
him to acquaint them that in His Majesty's said Instructions it
is declared.

I" that whereas The French would in all probality en-
deavour to reinforce the several Posts they have on the River
Ohio & on the Lakes to the westward of it, by sending- Troops
up the River Missisippi, it was His Royal Will & Pleasure
that as the Season would allow Troops to take the Field much
sooner in the Southern parts than in any other parts of his
Colonies he should begin his operations there as soon as the
Weather would permit ; & was therefore ordered to direct the
Troops under his Command to be carried up the River
Potowmack as high as Will's Creek in order to proceed to
Fort Du Ouesne —

2^"^ That as soon as the late General should have been able
to drive the French from their Posts on the Ohio he should
take proper Measures for Erecting a good & sufficient Fort
on tlie most convenient Pass upon the said River & to leave a
strong Garrison consisting of the three Independant Com-
panies then in Virginia, sustained by such a part of the whole
of the Provincial Troops as he shall find necessary to defend
the same & to protect the Indians in those parts as well as the
Settlements which had been broke up —

3'^''' That the next Service which His Majesty directs &
declares to be of the greatest Importance & therefore to
demand the utmost Care & Attention is the Dislodging the
French from the Forts they have at the Falls & passes of the
Niagara, & the Erecting such a Fort there as shall for the
future make His Majesty's Subjects Masters of the Lake
Ontario & that if for this purpose the said late General
Braddock should find it necessary to have Ships upon the said
Lake Ontario he should concert with the Commander in Chief
of His Majesty's Ships & the Governors of New England & N
York the manner & Means of building & manning such
Vessels as shall be most proper for that Service.

^thiy -phat it is in the said Instructions declared to be His
Majesty's further Will & pleasure that in order to accellerate
the Execution of so salutary an undertaking the said General
Braddock should in case the Regiments intended to be raised
by Gov"" Shirley & S' W" Pepperell should be ready to act
before the French could be drove from their Posts on the
Ohio to employ the said two Regiments in the immediate
Reduction of Niagara & Crown Point.

^>hiy -pii^j jp, j,^gg j.]^g g^jj^ j^Q Regiments of Shirley &
Pepperell should not be raised & ready to act till the time that
the Service on the Ohio should be finished it is declared to be

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 317

His Majesty's Will & Pleasure that if then the said General
Braddock should find it necessary to march his whole Force to
make himself Master of the Posts before mentioned at Niagara
he should take the most prudent means of Joining his said
Force with the British Batalions to effect that most essential &
necessary Service.

gihiy Xhat if the said General Braddock should find that the
two British Regiments would be sufficient for performing the
Service at Niagara, he might then employ the two American
Regiments at the same time in Dispossing the French from
their Posts at Crown Point on the Lake Champlain, which was
the next point he was to endeavour to gain, but that no posi-
tive Instructions could be given him on this head, as he could
only judge thereafter, whether such a seperate Operation could
be undertaken at the same time that he was making himself
Master of the most Material one at Niagara, however that
after he should have possessed himself of the Niagara Forts &
should have opened a safe Communication betwixt that &
Oswego it was His Majesty's Will & pleasure that the next
Service which he should proceed upon should be

^thiy yi^g Reduction of the Fort at Crown Point & Erecting
another upon the Lake Champlain in such place as he should
find most effectual for Bridling the French Indians in those
Parts & for securing & protecting the Neighbouring Colonies —

His Excellency thereupon observed to the Council that the
Reasons assigned in His Majesty's Instructions for ordering
General Braddock to begin his Operations upon the Ohio
seems to be principally founded on some information which
had been given that the Support of the French Forts &
Settlements upon that River is drawn from their Settlements
upon the Missisippi.

His Excellency the General then acquainted the Council that
none of the Attempts made for effecting the before mentioned
Services in the last Summer had been carried into Execution
but that these several before mentioned Parts of the Expedi-
tion ordered by His Majesty remained to be executed in the
ensuing Spring —

His Excellency then observed to the Council that the only
practicable Entrance which His Majesty's Subjects have into
the Lake Ontario is at Oswego thro the River Onondaga which
is the only Harbour fit to receive Vessels of any Force that His
Majesty hath upon that Lake & that Oswego is situated in the
Country of the Onondagoes which lies in the middle of that
Inhabited by the Six Nations & is the only Trading House the
English have for carrying on a Commerce & Correspondence
with the Western Indians That the only practicable Entrance
the French have into the same Lake is thro the River by them

31 8 Cor7'espondence of Governor Sharpe.

at first called the River Iroquoise but in some of their late
Maps the River S' Lawrence, & near Fort Frontenac which is
situated on the North East Edge of that Lake at about
50 Miles Distance from & nearly opposite to Oswego, that
whilst the French are in possession of that Fort & the Harbour
there with a free Passage into the Lake thro the River Iroquois
together with their Harbour at Tronto on the Lake they will
have it in their power to build & maintain Vessels of Force
upon the Lake which unless His Majesty shall keep up at least
an equal Naval Force there, may not only greatly annoy any
Fort which should be erected by His Majesty's Subjects at the
North East End of the Pass at Niagara, but endanger the Loss
of Oswego itself to the French which would inevitably be
attended with the Defection of the several Castles of the
Indians of the Six Nations to the French Interest in a short
time& with the Loss of the whole Country as far as Schenectady,
& very possibly be soon followed with the Loss of the City of
Albany — •

That from the best Information he can procure it appears to
him that the French Forts & Setdements at Niagara upon
Lake Erie & the Ohio & even as far as Misilimakinack upon
the Lake Huron are wholly supported with Stores & pro-
visions from Montreal by Water Carriage thro the River
Iroquois & across the Lake Ontario & not from the French
Settlements on the Missisippi which being at near the Distance
of 2000 Miles from any of them are too remote to afford them
any Support, especially as the Navigation from thence to the
French Settlements on the Ohio is against the Stream &
attended with other Difficulties in many Places That conse-
quently the Dislodging the French from Fort Frontenac &
their small Fort at Tronto & barring up their Entrance into the
Lake Ontario thro the River Iroquois would cut off all their
Forts & Setdements upon that & the other Lakes & the River
Ohio from all Support from Canada without which they could
not possibly long subsist —

That therefore His Excellency proposes the following Plan
of Operations for the ensuing year Viz.

That a Body of 5000 Troops should be assembled at Oswego
by the last week in April & Fort Frontenac & La Galette upon
the River Oswegatie be attacked with 4000 of them in the
beginning of May leaving 1000 at Oswego for the Protection
of that place.

That after dislodging the French Troops at Cataracui & La
Galette they should be employed in attacking the French
Forts & Settlements at Niagara Presqu' Isle the River au Beuf,
Detroit & Misilimakinac & to secure the several Posts there;
That 3000 Troops should at the same time be marched to Fort
Duquesne by Land from Wills's Creek to attack that Fort.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 319

That Crown Point should be at the same time attacked w"*
6000 Troops, a Fort afterwards built on Lake Champlain &
one or more Vessels built to navigate that Lake, & in order to
divide the Force of Canada more effectually after breaking up
all the French Settlements upon the River Chaudiere with
2000 Troops about the same time to make a Feint with them
on Quebec at the Mouth of the said River which is within three
Miles distance from that Metropolis situate on the opposite
Side of the River S' Lawrence.

His Excellency then desired the Opinion & Advice of the
Council upon every part of the proposed plan & particularly
whether the Number of Troops proposed for carrying every
part of the said Expedition into Execution at one & the same
time was sufficient or whether any less or greater & what
number might be sufficient to do it —

His Excellency then observed to the Council that if the
beforementioned Attempts for the Reduction of the French
Forts & Settlements upon the Lake & the Ohio & Crown
Point, should not be made at the same time but one of them
only carried on at a time these Dangers would ensue. Viz.
If an Attempt should be made upon the Lake Ontario for the
Reduction of the Forts at Cataracui & Niagara &c without any
against Crown Point, The French would either bend the chief
part of the whole Force of Canada to oppose it in which Case
so large a Body of Troops would be required to encounter it
there as would make the Transportation of them & their Stores
& Provisions to Oswego in time almost impracticable or else
the French would muster so strong a Force against Albany as
might take it & by that means likewise cut off all Communica-
tion between it & the Forces at Oswego which must receive its
whole Support of Stores & Provisions from thence —

On the other hand if an Attempt should be made for the
Reduction of Crown Point only & not against Fort Cataracui
Niagara &c at the same time Oswego which from the Intelli-
gence gained at that place appears to be the great Object of
the French would be in Danger of being lost to them in case
they should bend their principal Force against it, which Loss
would be an Irretrieveable one to the English, as it would not
only be Loss of the Country as far as Albany together with the
Six Nations but give the French the Dominion of the Great
Lake & the whole Southern Country.

His Excellency then acquainted the Council that immediately
before his Departure from Oswego as well as since he had
received Intelligence that the French are building at least three
large Vessels of Force in the Harbour of Cataracui which
together with those they had already built will be much
superiour to those built by us on the Lake whereupon he like-
wise desires the Opinion & Advice of the Council concerning

320 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

his causing more Vessels to be built & of a larger Force upon
the Lake that what His Majesty hath there already & how
many such Vessels it is necessary to have built for gaining the
Mastery of that Lake —

The Council after taking the several Matters into Considera-
tion gave it as their unanimous Opinion i " That it is most essen-
tially necessary at all Events to secure the Navigation of the
Lake Ontario, & from the Intelligence the General has informed
them he has already received of Vessels building by the Enemy
at Fort Frontenac, that at least Three Vessels be built immedi-
ately at [Oswego] large & Force as the Depth of the
Water at the Entrance of the Harbour of Oswego will admit
& that on any future Intelligence of the Enemy's encreasing
their Naval Force, that the General should build such & so
many more Vessels as he finds necessary for securing the
Mastery of the Lake.

a'^'y That one Expedition be carried on against Crown Point
& another against the French Settlements & Encroachments
on Lake Ontario that both Armies rendezvous at their respec-
tive Places of Destination soon as possible in the Spring —

3*^'^ That an Army of 10,000 Men will be necessary for the
Expedition against Crown Point —

^thiy fhat an Army of 6000 Men at least will be necessary
for the Expedition against the French Encroachments on the
Lake Ontario &c.

j'hiy That as to the Attempt proposed to be made upon Fort
Duquesne they are unanimously of Opinion that such a Measure
would answer very good purpose by availing the English
Forces of the Assistance of that portion of the Southern
Indians which are still in Alliance with them & preventing
those in Alliance with the French from opposing our Opera-
tions to the Northward & therefore advise the General to
recommend it to the Western Governments to undertake an
Attempt upon that Fortress, & do it in such a manner as will
not in the least interfere with the Expedition already agreed on —

gthiy That asto the Feint with 2000 Men against Quebec by the
way of the River Chaudiere they are unanimously of Opinion
that it should be carried into Execution provided it can be
done without prejudice to the other Parts of the Service
already agreed on —

y"* That with Regard to the Operations on Lake Ontario it
was the Opinion & Advice of the Majority of the Council that
they be begun by the Attack of Cataracui

Lastly the Council considering the several Services to be
carried on in North America are unanimously of Opinion that
an Additional Number of Regular Troops will be necessary for
effectually recovering & Securing his Majestys Rights &
Dominions upon this Continent.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 321

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

[Dec. 1755]
Dear Sir/

I did myself the Honor to wait on you this evening to beg
the favour of you to postpone your Journey to the southward
till tuesday next, as Gen' Shirley Insists on my staying till then
to adjust some Indian Affairs that at this time are of very great
importance to Pensilvania in particular and to the Western
Colonys in Gen' as you will see by the inclosed note which I
recieved a little before dinner, and after I had sent away my
horses and shase.

I hope the Affairs of your Province will not require so
immediate an attendance as to deprive me of the pleasure of
your Company to and at Philad^ — as nothing shall detain me
beyond the time mentiond in the Gen'' letter ; I will wait on
you in the morning to know your resolution as to this matter
and in the mean time wish you a good night. And am Sir

Your most faithful!
and obed' Serv'
Rob' H. Morris
Friday night
Gov. Sharpe

[Shirley's Proposals for Treaty with the Indians.] Original.

By His Excellency Major General William Shirley General &
Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces in North
America &c.
Upon taking into his Consideration the very Great import-
ance of the numerous nations of Indians in Alliance with his
Majesty's Southern Colonies. The advantages that will accrue
to the English in General from their Friendship & the Particular
necessity there is at this time, to enter into a Solemn Treaty
with them in order not only to secure them to the British
Interest, so far as to Prevent them from joining in the Designs
of the French, but to engage them to Assist his Majestys
Subjects in Defending their frontiers & annoying their
Enemies.

It is Proposed,

i" That a Treaty be held with the several Tribes of Indians
in Alliance with his Majesty's Southern Colonies, at such time
& Place, as shall be agreed on between the Goverments of
North & South Carolina & notified by them to the General &
to the other Western Colonies as far north as Pensylvania.

2'"5' That one or more Commissioners should be Appointed
by each of the Western Provinces from South Carolina to Pen-

32 2 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

sylvania both inclusive to carry on that Treaty, in behalf of
his Majesty, & of those Colony's to be particularly instructed
by their respective Governments for that Purpose.

3'"y That such Instructions be without Delay transmitted to
the General & that he or the Commander in Chief of the
Kings Forces for the time being give such further Instructions
to the Commiscioners collective or seperately as he shall think
necessary for his Majesty's Service.

^thiy q^hat thg Governments of Virginia & the two Carolina's
as soon as Possible Dispatch the Messengers to those Southern
Tribes inviting them to a General Treaty in his Majesty's
name & in the names of all the said Western Provinces, and
that the time & Place agreed on for such Treaty be particularly
mentioned in such invitation.

^thiy fhat at such appointed place, Provision be made for
the Reception & entertainment of the Indians that may Attend
the Treaty, by the Province wherein such place is, to be After-
wards Reinbursed in Proportion by the other Colony's.

6'*''^ That money be Provided by the said Western Provinces
for defraying the Expence of the Treaty & for Providing a
Proper Assortment of Goods to be given in Presents to the
Indians that shall attend, & sent into their Country's to be dis-
tributed among those that cannot personally Assist at the
Treaty.

ythiy Yhat the Commissioners be instructed to engage those
Tribes to Assist the English in the Present Dispute & to take
up the Hatchet against the French & their Indians & that they
be enabled to Promise English Pay & Provisions Arms,
Ammunition & Indian Cloaths, to such of their Warriors as
shall Join his Majesty's Forces, or the Troops in the Service
of any of the Western Provinces, and as to such of them as
shall incline to Attack the French upon the Ohio, or any of the
Indians in their Alliance to Promise them certain Rewards for
every Prisoner or Scalp they shall bring in, & to Appoint cer-
tain Places to which such Scalps or Prisoners shall be brought.

gihiy 'piijif Proper persons be Appointed by the Commis-
sioners to Return with the Indians from the Treaty into their
own Country, if Necessary to conduct the Warriors to such
places as shall be Appointed for their Rendezvous where
stores of Provisions, Arms & Ammunition should be Provided
for their use.

[Calvert to Sharpe.]

London December 23'' 1755.
Sir./

By this opportunity inclosed you have Duplicates of His
Lordship's Instructions, the 2 2"* of August, the (f" of September,

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 323

with His Additional Instructions since of the sy'*" of October
last, particularly relating to Popery Acts of Parliament. — Your
having had Notice from His Lower House of Assembly by an
Address recited in their Journal dated the 23'' of June last, of
Persons in Office of Government charged as if offending
against those Acts.

He thinks it Necessary to Signify to you some Clauses, as
parts of Statutes in Law through the Dominions of His
Majesty's Realm, and reminds you thereof (not with the least
doubt of your want of obedience thereto) as main Guards to
our happy Establishment. He also directs me to warn you
against the Jesuits and all Popish Priests &c. and to require of
His Magistrates in the Province to watch and to punish their
transactions and offences agreeable to the Laws. — Indeed the
present Dangers Cause general Care to take heed and secure
such prescribed real Enemies to our King Church and Gov-
ernment, the Protection of which My Lord is happy and all
belonging to His Province in your Principles and Sincere
Assiduity therein, and of your justly maintaining the Publick
Well fare,

The London Gazette Extraordinary October 30"" wherein is
an Extract of a Letter from Governor Wentworth to the Right
Hon"'= Sir Thomas Robinson one of His Majesty's Principal
Secretary's of State, dated at Portsmouth in New Hampshire
September the 10"' 1755, a Printed Copy of which Letter I
inclose to you, writ by Major Johnson from the Camp at Lake
George September the 9''' 1755, on His March with His
Majesty's Forces to Crown Point, and meeting with the French
on their March towards the Encampment at the Carrying Place
where some of our American Troops were posted. The Action
that Insued thereupon is Glorious on the English Side, And
By M"^ Johnson well Conducted, and gained by him with Mili-
tary Skill and Bravery by the officers and Troops.

The Baron Dirskau the French General in His Conduct
seems to have fallen into an Ambuscade like Major General
Bradock on his March to Fort Du Quesne. M' Johnson here
is in high Esteem and as a Distinguishable Mark of Reward
for his real Service, His Majesty has dignifyed him with the
stile and Title of a Baronet.

Under Cover are Votes of the House of Commons contain-
ing a Message from His Majesty to the House on the deplorable
Event on the first of last month by an Earthquake at Lisbon. —
Since from Portugal the Damage said is very considerable,
the King's Palace is reported down with Publick Edifices and
many Houses of which the Tops almost in General fell in ; It
is said the Earth did not open, some Inhabitants are destroyed
in the Ruins, but few English; who are mostly retired to

324 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe,

Oporto or on board the Ships in the Harbour. His Majesty
out of His Paternal Care for His Subjects, has dispatched
^50000 in Effects, viz' Salt Beef, Pork, Butter, Flour, Rice
&c. as Relief to His Subjects, and His faithfull Ally the King
of Portugal.

Inclosed is His Majesty's Speech to Both Houses of Parlia-
ment. On an Address to the Speech, after a long Debate
whether the Russians & Hessians Troops should be taken into
the Pay of Great Britain, the House divided 311 for, against
105. — Sir George Lyttelton is made Chancellor and Under
Treasurer of the Exchequer in the Room of M' Legge who has
resign'd. M' Fox Secretary of State in the Room of Sir Tho=
Robinson replaced in the Wardrobe Office. M' William Pitt
Paymaster to the Army and M' George Grenville Treasurer of
the Navy with others, are said, will resign or be out.

Yours of the 15"' of September gives My Lord Comfort, in
which you mention " you have not heard that any Enemy has
been seen in the Province since Col Dunbar left us" Col
Ellison in America is appointed Colonel of his Regiment, who
'tis said is ordered home as Deputy Governor of Gibraltar.
I hope the Provincial Troops of Virginia will answer Gov"'
Dinwiddie's Expectations, and that Maryland has or will Assist
therein. My Lord desires by the Earliest opportunity you'l
send a General Account of what Aid His Province has given
and done for His Majesty's and the Publick Service during
these dangerous times ; The Account is necessary, the Lords
for Trade and Plantations having notify 'd the same to the
Agents here of the American Colonies, mention'd to be laid
before the King and Parliament.

By yours of the 6"' of October the Forces with Governor
Shirley at Oswego being but 1400 men seems of no Advantage
against the French well secured at Niagara Especially as ours
are in want of Provisions ; His Lordship hopes His Assembly
will acquiesce in sending Commissioners to Albany, impowering
them with the Commissioners of the Neighbouring Colonies to
Consult of proper Measures for the Interest of the Common
Cause, and to Stipulate for necessary Supplies each Province
shall furnish before the Ensuing Spring. — Your inclosed I have
sent to your Brother John as also yours to Sir Tho' Robinson,
your future Letters you must address to M' Fox Secretary of
State

Inclosed is a Letter to M' Lloyd the Agent sealed with
a flying Seal, on your reading it please to put a wafer under
the Seal and deliver it him. you will observe his Conduct with
regard to My Lord's Affairs, which if he does not alter by better
Conduct, he must resign or His Lordship will order his Dis-
mission from his office ; as this may happen, His Lordship

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 325

desires you will well Consider without Delay in acquainting
with a Proper Person to Succeed him.

I hope you've mine of the i 3"" of May in which I inform'd
you of His Lordship's Consent for your placing at the Council
Board, M' Tilghman Col Jenkins Henry or Philip Keys, either
of which you approved in the Room of M" Dulany deceased.

The lo'*" of December 1754 in the Deal Box I then sent you
which contain'd His Lordship's Instructions with my Letters to
you and others, were also inclosed Six written Books (properly
to be called Nominal Rentals) of Tenants belonging to six
Counties in the Province which I return'd received from M"'
Tasker the late Agent, and under Cover with those Books,
inclosed were Sundry Bills of Exchange with their Protests,
and My Lord's Instructions inclosed in my Letter of the same
date to M' Lloyd ; The Instructions with the Letter he has
since Acknowledged, but not Noting to me his Receipt of the
Bills nor Rentals gives Disquiet; though a List of the Bills
was Entered in my Letter with mention of the Rentals: The
Letter sent him an Account of their Imperfection, they being
not properly made out, nor Authenticated according to Instruc-
tions sent M' Tasker from His Lordship's Guardians dated the
14"" of May and in Consequence of my Letter and Plan of
account of the 15''' of the same Instant sent 1752; Upon all
which matters he has had His Lordship's Instructions to follow,
and of which His Lordship desires you'l urge him the Return,
and desires your Intelligence about his Receipt of the Contents
contain'd herein, his long delay making it necessary for your
Assistance with regard to his prejudicial Neglects.

His Lordship sends you his best wishes, and hopes all
things in His Province will be well, and that Publick Broil may
Cease ; giving you Leisure thereby for the Compleation of
His Private Affairs ; of which, the Regulation and Receipt of
his Revenues stand greatly in need of, and would much
Encrease by your Project of the Sheriffs well modell'd and
Secured at 6 -jj Centum ; and thereon you have His Approba-
tion in mine the 1 3"" of May last, which rendered into Execution
would be a fix'd acquisition of real Service, obligatory on him
and His Heirs to you. — The Tobacco Law has been months in
hand with M' Hamersley His Lordship's Sollicitor at Law with
directions to obtain M' Attorney General's opinion, not yet
received. Delay from such is Certain and unshunable ; giving
further opportunity to Inform you that Determination by the
Lord Chancellor on the Cause between the Messieurs Penns and
His Lordship is postponed, by Allowance of an Amendment
to the Plaintiffs Bill ; I fear Endless in dispute ! therefore My
Lord renews and recommends to your Serious Consideration,
Care, Assiduity and Vigilance in Maintenance, and against His

326 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Adversarys Purloin of His old settled Possessions and just
Rights on the Eastern Shore, and that you'l Encrease the same
with Grants to Tenants by all Justifiable Means.

War or Peace seems here at a stand, Hostility with France
and England goes on by Reprisals at Sea, the Equivalent
thereby is greatly at present with us; here is arrived great
Boast from Paris of the Toulon and Brest Squadrons, when
join'd they threaten us Destruction ! Brag's a good Dog, But
holdfast's a better. We have of their Navy and Trading Ships
in hand. The following are some operations of our Parliament
Sittings for 1756 viz' 34,000 Effective men including 3759
Invalids. — ^^209,854 for maintaining the Forces in the Planta-
tions.— -^15,243. and ^146,72 1, for the Charge of the office of
Ordinance and Extra Expences not provided for of that office. —
50,000 men for the Sea Service at £\. p man -p month
including ordinance, with _^2 19,021 for the ordinary.

After very long debates with Divisions on the Russians and
Hessians Troops as Supplys to His Majesty, It passed in the
Affirmative 263 against 69. viz'

That _;^ 1 00,000 be granted to the Empress of Russia for
72000 Auxiliary Troops, if necessary, pursuant to Treaty.

That ^54,140. 12.6 be granted to the Landgrave of Hesse
Cassel for 8,000 Troops in hand and 4,000 Horse as Auxiliaries,
pursuant to Treaty.

That ^10,000 be granted to the Elector of Bavaria pursuant
to Treaty.

Land Tax Four shillings in the pound.

On Condemnation of the French Captures, It passed in the
Negative 211 against 81.

On His Majesty's Message on the deplorable Event to
Portugal, ^100,000 Relief to that Kingdom.

Inclosed I send you the London Gazette in which is a Letter,
Lisbon the 6'"' of December 1755 from Abraham Castres Esq''
His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary to the King of Portugal,
on the Calamities from a most tremendous Earthquake, on the
first of the last month, which Reduced that City to a heap of
Rubish and Ruins, followed by a Conflagration of more Mis-
chief than the Earthquake it self.

It is Certain as M'^ Hervey Observes in his Thereon and
Aspasio, Speaking of Earthquake, he says; Of all Divine
Visitations, this is the most terrible Vindictive, puts a Period
in a few Minutes to the work of Ages, ruins all without Dis-
tinctions, and there is no Defence against its Stroke.

His Portuguese Majesty with his Family were retired to
their Palace near Belem by the Sea, about three Leagues off,
and ('tis said) the Eve before the inhuman Festival of the
Inquisition, by Burning the unfortunate People Condemn'd by

Correspondence of Governor Skarpe. 327

the Black Art & Dealings of the Romish Priests ; The Divine
Stroke is reported at the time of Enterance on that Festival. —
The Calamity Befalling the whole Maritime Coast gave alarm
to His Portuguese Majesty, who arrived in View to the down-
fall of his Towers, His Gorgeous Palaces, Solemn Temples,
and of his Metropolis (the Stroke being particular at the City
of Lisbon) where fell the Custom house, the Key Rich with
Effects from all nations, and Crowded with People, Sunk at
once Fathomless ! The Rich India House, with the remainder
of that opulent City left as a Rack behind ! of which the best
Effects are Dissolved by the General Conflagration that
Ensued. — The King with Amaze and Fear retired under a
Tent, attended with the Lamentations and Shrieks of his
People, of whom the most were Naked, Destitute, Bereft of
all ! And upon rough Computation amounts to Twenty
Millions Sterling and of People more than 50,000. The only
Relief left was the Mint Rich in Treasure, and some Provision
Vessels with Stores that fortunately arrived. — I know not its
Equal in Misfortune, But that of Sodom and Gomorrah —
destroy 'd in the Land of the Canaanites, unless the Extention
of the Deluge.

Account from Paris, mention a Jesuit stil'd Nicholas the i^'
who is said to have assumed the Sceptre of Paraguay. It is
there given out the Title of King has Succeeded that of
Generalissimo, which he had before, as is the Custom of the
Country of the Missions, where all Troops are Subordinate to
the Provincial Father and alledge, the Natives of Paraguay
have made Surrender of the Soil to Them ; therefore they
deem themselves Lords of the Soil and all things on it, and
consequently may put in a Plea against the New Regulation
of Limits between Spain and Portugal, at least their Title to
Paraguay is as good as that of the Bishop of Rome to the
Territories called S' Peter's Patrimony. — Sure these Casuists
are from Satan ! not from the Divine S' Peter's whole King-
dom was not of this World.

It has been talk'd and is of a Proposition to Parliament of
raising 1,500 to consist only of Swiss and Germans, to be sent
to Pensilvania; if not compleated in Europe than of such
Foreigners in that Province, and the Command thereof to a
M' Prevo a German ; Here is a great Roar against it. — It
disagreeing with the Rules of Policy in Regard to Officers
here and America, I think it will be drop'd. On it's being
mention'd to me by Particulars, I gave for answer. There could
be no doubt of much Benefit from Forces sent to America,
But to be composed of Corps Foreigners Ouarter'd particularly
at Philadelphia, in either Case with Submission I Judged would
give great Dissatisfaction in America : It would Enrich Pen-

328 Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe.

silvania and Aggrandize the Capital ; and Strengthen to do
for that Province what by Quakerisme is denied, that of
Defence ; and under such Circumstance might ease Them at
a Dead Lift and Befriend Them in that which the inward
Spirit must move tliem to do agreeable to the Fundamental
Law of Nature, that of Self Preservation. — It is alledged,
Force composed of Foreigners who have always been true to
hired Trust, their Service is most likely will be best Effected
by Command received in Language from Native Officers. I
Learn the Question on this matter is put off till after the
Holidays, to which time this day both Houses adjourn'd to the
13''' of January Ensuing.

May all Happiness attend you and the Province of Mary-
land is the sincere wish of him who is with all Respect and
Esteem Dear Sir

Yours Sincerely

Caecil' Calvert

Pos'. Inclosed are Publick news Papers, with the London
Gazette containing many alterations in offices, with Levy of
Additional Regiments, I've not time to inclose you a Dupli-
cate of mine of the 22"^ of August, hoping 'tis with you ; as the
most materials therein being mentioned in the Pos" of suc-
ceeding Letters.

By my Postcript to M' Lloyd you'l observe he has in some
measure answer'd Complaint against him. His Lordship
hopes your Endeavours with relation to the Sheriffs being the
Collectors of His Revenues will succeed.

Pos' On closing this I have yours of the 20''' & 26"' of
October in a Box with the Laws passed at a Session of Assem-
bly the 23"^ of June 1755, The Ship being upon her departure
gives but little time to observe few parts of yours. — To the
Affair of M"" Stewart's upon Convicts, M' Attorney General
here Expressed himself to me with much Warmth against the
Assembly in Assuming to themselves to charge Acts of Parlia-
ment, that the duty of his office obliged him to protect. And
if My Lord did not Dissent to that Maryland Act he would
severely proceed against it. his hint I understood was, he
would move the House of Commons of a violation upon an
Act of theirs by an Act of the Maryland Assembly & Contrary
to their Charter, the Consequence is easily conceived, that of
a Censure falling Both upon the Proprietor and Houses of
Assembly; Both which I had no other way to Protect from
Harm, But denying a Duty charged by any Act of Assembly
ipso facto nam'd as Convicts, and of which I would convince
him by sending him the Act upon Duties Personally; He

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 329

desired I would, which I did inclosed in a Letter with my
observations thereon to your Brother John who lay'd the same
before him ; which Letter with the Act satisfy'd him Ipsofacto
as to Convicts, no such name being mention'd therein ; there-
fore he said he would'nt as yet Credit the Duty Levell'd. — It
gives me Concern to understand by you, the Naval Officers
have follow'd the opinion of the Provincial Lawyers in Levelling
the Duty without a Letter of the Act for it, and of which most
certainly, will upon Tryal here fall heavy upon them, as within
no Intention of the Act, as also will the same upon such Case,
for Judgment given by our Provincial Judges with Regard to
such Intention ; Such Judgement here will be Judged Extra-
judical, and of this M' Attorney has given me a hint, therefore
it much Behoove's all concern'd to have a Care, 'tis truly hard
upon the Province that the Scum and Dregs of the People
here sent, should be the Cause of Ruin to Honest men there, I
will do what I can to keep quiet M' Stewart But fear it. — This
Manifests the danger there is in touching upon Acts of Parlia-
ment, and upon which I have observed in my former Letters.

His Lordship is out of Town, as to Col Robert Jenkins
Henry, your Appointment of him of the Council of State, you
and he may from me rest assured is My Lord's Approbation ;
My Compliments attend him wishing him Joy thereof. What
can be done with the Hen-Peck'd Darnalls? I've received a
Letter from the Attorney too ridiculous to answer, I hope
they are not included in His Lordship's Instructions sent you
dated the 27"' of last October.— To M' Attorney the Rent Roll
keeper will best suit him, if by Law capable to Hold ; upon all
Adventures 'tis good Policy to remove him as Attorney
General.

I am obliged to you for the return of M' Young's Bill. —
Please to acquaint M' Calvert and M' Stewart of their Bills
amounting to ^50 for M"^ Wogan I have, and to whom I
certainly will deliver the same. I was in hopes by M' Calvert's
Letter he would have acknowledged the usual Payment to me
from his office.

My Lord is obliged to you for your Reduction of the Receipt
of His Revenues to Ten -p Centum. — The remainder of your
Episries by the first opportunity I will answer. —

N. B. Indeed as to the one pound p head at present Levied
by the Provincial Lawyers opinion though not mention'd by the
Act of Assembly, It is to be hoped no Harm will happen to the
Receipt of it during the Continuance of the Act for five years ;
It being particular for raising money for His Majesty's Service.
As the Contractors for the transporting of Felons have by Act
of Parliament or the Government, a proper Allowance paid

330 Coi^rcspondence of Governor Sharpe.

here for such their Transportation, giving Bond to Land them
in America ; Therefore their pretending a Property of Sale of
them for the respective Terms of years they are severally Con-
demned to Transportation, appears to me Unwarrantable ; It
being Death to the Convict transported, to return before the
Term he or she is transported for is out: Therefore if the
Contractor sells a Convict, it is to be apprehended he sells such
Convict as if an indented Servant, or as a Servant according to
the Custom of the Province agreeable to the Act of the
Province. This Sort of Evidence would be right to get con-
nected, in case of any Proceedings against the Officers of
Maryland relating to this Duty.

When the Circumstance of Convicts falls under the Consid-
eration of the Assembly, I think the best way to Settle that
Point would be to charge the Purchaser on his having a
Property by Sale of a Person to him for a Term of j^ears :
I told M' Attorney that Pensilvania and other parts of His
Majestys Territories in America charged a Duty on them, he
said not to his Knowledge. The Imposition that you observe
is on them in Pensilvania and some of the Islands £^. -p Pole
makes me Imagine is the Reason of Their having got Rid of
them. The Contractors for transportation of them, their Com-
plaint is most certainly unreasonable, Considering they sell at
/8. and _^20 each, sure a good Premium for their Passage and
as you Remark cannot complain of a Hard Bargain, Exclusive
of the money paid here for their Transportation. —

My Lord Desires you'l Note to M' Commissary Tasker his
Issuing out of his office Regular Lists of Devises for the Com-
pletion of Debt Books. — My Lord is desirous of doing any
thing for M' Dulany you shall Recommend to him, and of
which he shall not want my friendship for Service to him with
His Lordship. I should be glad of a List of the Council.

To The Hon'''' Horatio Sharpe Esq' Lieutenant Governor of

Maryland.

[Shirley to Sharpe.]

73 New York December 30"^ 1755

Sir

Being ordered by his Majesty in his Instructions to me as
Commander in Chief of the Forces in North America not only
to Cultivate the best Harmony and Friendship possible with
the several Governors of his Colonies upon this Continent but
likewise with the Chiefs of the Indian Tribes and for the better
Improvement of his Good Correspondence with the said Indian
Tribes to find out some fit & Proper Person agreeable to the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 331

Southern Indians to be Sent to them for this Purpose, and to Liber j. r.
Endeavour to engage them to Act with his Forces in such '^ ^- ^■
operations as I shall think most Expedient, I think I can't
better answer his Royal Intention, especially at this time of
General Incursions of the Indians into his Western Frontiers,
than by recommending the Inclosed Plan to your Honour
which if unanimously Executed by the Several Governments
concerned, I can't but Conceive Strong hopes may provide in
the most effectual manner for their mutual Security against the
Hostile Attempts of the Southern Indians upon them & creating
a Dependency of those Nations upon his Majesty.

If your Honour can Suggest to me any Amendment of this
Plan or other measures for compassing this great Object,
I shall very gladly do all the Service I can in promoting them.

I have at the same time likewise Endeavoured to Induce the
Indians of the Six Nations to join with us in putting a Stop to
the Devastations of the Shawonese, Delaware, Susquehana,
and other Southern Nations within his Majestys Western
Colonies either by their Good Offices & Authority over them
or if those should prove ineffectual by taking up the Hatchet
against them.

Inclosed I send your Honour a Copy of the Minutes of a p- 74
Council of War composed of Governors and Field Officers
according to his Majestys Instructions held at this place the
is'*" and 13''' Instant upon the operations of the next Years
Campaigne, at which your Honour assisted, I doubt not but
you will recommend to the Assembly within your Government
in the Strongest Terms to Contribute their just Quota by Men
and money towards carrying so Salutary a Plan into Execution ;
which if done with Vigour and in its proper Season, they must
be Sensible will lay the most lasting foundation for the future
Safety and Tranquility of their Province and I can't but hope
that the Outrages and Devastations lately committed by the
Enemy more or less within all his Majestys Western Colonies
will Convince the Assembly of Maryland how essential it is for
the welfare of his Majestys Subjects within their Province that
they should heartily join in the Execution of this Plan which
your Honour will be Pleased to Communicate either in part or
in the whole as your Honour shall judge Proper and how
loudly their Duty to their King and Country calls upon them
to do it

Upon this occasion I cant but hope that the Province under
your Honours Government will consider how deeply it is
Interested in the event of the next years Campaign

I will not omit returning your Honour my thanks for the
Journy you took from Annapolis at so late a Season of the
year, and long Attendance at this Place upon his Majestys

332 Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe,

Liber J. R. Servicc : and acknowledging my obligations to you for the

& u. s,

great assistance I have had in my Consultations with you upon
the most Essential & difficult points of it; which hath put it
into my power to promote it further than I am perswaded I
should have been able to have done without it

I beg leave to assure you, Sir, that I shall ever esteem it an
happiness and Honour to me to maintain the Closest Corres-
pondence with you in the future Course of his Majestys Ser-
vice, and to give you proofs with what an unfeigned Esteem
and regard, I am

S' Your Honours Most Humble & Most Obedient Servant

W Shirley

P. S. Inclosed are the Proportions according to the Plan
Settled by the Commissioners at Albany; which tho not per-
fectly Equal, are the only ones that can be made use of untill
more exact can be formed ; which cant be done in time for the
Present purpose all inequalitys must be Equitably Adjusted,
and afterwards Set right upon the first opportunity of doing it
Your Honour must be Sensible that the Success of the next
years operations depends upon an early Campaigne

I must desire your Honour to prevail on your Assembly to
raise their Inclosed Proportion of looo Men towards the Expe-
dition against Crown Point in the first place, before you
recomend to them to Raise their proportion towards the
Expedition against Du Quesne.

Proportions of the 10,000 Men proposed to be rais'd for the
Crown Point Expedition according to the Plan Settled by the
Commissioners at Albany.

Maryland 1000

Virginia 1750

Pensilvania 1 500

New Jerseys 750

New York 1000

Rhode Island 500

Conecticutt 1250

New Hampshire 500

Massachusetts 175°

Original. [Calvert to Sharpc]

London lanuary 3"^ 1756
Sir/

The Bearer the Rev'' M' Williamson desiring my Address
to you on his behalf, I beg the favour of your Acceptance
thereof. Your having no Exception to him His Lordship

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 333

directs me to Acquaint you, 'tis His desire that you do present
him with the first Benefice that does become vacant, after
Induction of such other Clergy he has noted to you. — Prefer-
ment to this Gentleman will give My Lord peculiar Satisfaction
he being a Native of His Province, of sound Doctrine and
Principles to our present Happy Establishment Both in Church
and State.

Your Letters to Sir Thomas Robinson, and that directed to
your Brother John or William are delivered.

I am with the greatest Esteem
Yours most truly
CaeciP Calvert.

To The Hon"'= Horatio Sharpe Esq' Lieut Governor of Mary-
land.

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.] Letter Bk. 11.

p. 162
Annapolis lan^ 4"' 1756 —
Sir

Your Favour of the 22^ of Nov'' I received last Week on my
Return from N York where my stay was protracted much
longer than I expected by the General's not arriving till a
month after the Day he had in his Letf^ appointed. You
desire me to inform you what was resolved on at that Congress p. 163
I presume you will by this same Conveyance receive a Copy
of the Journal of our Proceedings, should you not, I will inclose
you one as soon as the General shall send me a Copy. The
first & principal Thing the Council advised was the securing
at all Events & at any Expence the Navigation or Mastery of
Ontario Lake, in Consequence of such Advice The General
has I apprehend already given Orders for the immediate
building of three or more Vessels of greater Force than those
which were built last Summer & a Number of Whale-Boats
for the Transportation of the Troops that may be employed in
that service to Niagara or Cataracui Fort. The greatest Part
of the General's & S' W" Pepperell's Regiments are left
under the Command of Lieut' Col° Mercier to garrison Oswego
this winter & 'tis proposed that the two British Regiments (one
of w'''' is at Albany the other at Skenectady) shall join them in
the Spring as early as Marching is practicable. With those
Regiments I conceive General Shirley will make a Descent on
one or both of the French Forts at that Lake while a Body of
Provincial Troops (should none other be sent over) attempt p. 164
Crown Point, at least make a Diversion that way to hinder the
Enemy's drawing off their Troops from that Quarter to oppose
the General on the Lake. It was also proposed & hoped that

334 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. these Southern Colonies besides granting a Sum of Money &
Men each for supporting the Nortliern Expedition, would unite
& engage to carry on another against Fort Du Ouesne at least
to advance a Body of Troops westward & by building Forts
beyond the Extreme Limits of this Province alarm the Enemy
on the Ohio & prevent their sending Succours thence to the
Lakes. 1 could not help intimating my fears that the necessary
Supplies of Men & Money for such an Enterprize would not
be easily obtained of these Colonies, but as I am persuaded it
would contribute much to the Success of the Regular Forces
I shall propose it to our Assembly & I am not without hopes
that we also shall at length agree to do something for our own
Defence & the Common Cause. As all the Indians of the
Delaware & Shawanese Nations who have heretofore lived in
Pens'' & been esteemed our Friends have lately taken up the
Hatchet ag'' us it seems high time for us to look out for
Allies elsewhere & engage if possible some of the Southern
Indians at any Rate to act in Conjunction with such Troops

p. 165 as may Act in these Parts of His Majestys Dominions
next Summer. Those of the Six Nations that can be pre-
vailed on to take up Arms & declare in our favour will be
found Employment enough by the General on the Lakes,
& I beleive you will agree with me on the necessity there
is of having such Auxiliaries to attend every army that
marches thro the Back Country. I should be glad there-
fore to be informed how we stand with the Indians of
Carolina ; what Steps have lately been taken by you or the
Carolina Governments to secure them in our Interest, & by
what means they are to be prevailed on to take up the Hatchet
& join our Troops on the Monongahela the approaching Sum-
mer ; What Person or People have Influence with the Catawba
or Cherokee Nations that may be sent on an Embassy to
sollicit their Aid; on what Conditions we may expect their
Assistance, how many Warriours will they spare us, & how
much should each of these five Provinces contribute to support
& Reward such Allies. I promised Gov' Morris to address
you on this Subject & communicate to him your answer as
soon as I shall be favoured therewith — In your Letf dated the
13'*' of lune you told me the Cloaths that M' Carlyle delivered

p. i66 for the Maryland Company would cost 40' St^ a Suit & in the
Account which you received with my Lett' of the 22'' of lune I
beleive Credit is given you for £^'^\ for those Cloaths,
Be pleased to recur to that account & if you find it otherwise
send me a Copy thereof that I may rectify the Error & remit
you the Ballance.

Upon hearing that Col° Washington excepted ag" Capt
Dagworthy's acting as Commander in Chief at Wills-Creek by

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 335

virtue of His Majesty's Commission I sent liim Orders to con- Letter Bk. 11.
fine himself to the Command of the Fort alone & not interfere
with any Troops in the Barracks or assume any Authority over
the Virginians that should be there Posted —

rSharpe to Calvert."! Letter Bk.

L ^ J p. 179

Annapolis the 5"" lan^ 1756. transmitted by Capt
Montgomerie.

By a Ship which I am told is just about to sail from Potow-
mack I embrace this Opportunity of acknowledging the Receipt
of your Lett" of the 2 2''of Aug"' & 4"" of Sepf together with
His Ldp's Instructions of the same Date. I only want two
Constable's Returns of the Number of People in their Dis-
tricts to compleat a List of the Number of our Inhabitants, as
soon as they are received such an exact List shall be made out
for his Ldp & sent in my first Lett' Col° Tasker accepts the
Office on the Conditions you offer, viz the payment of ^200
annually to your Order, & acts by my Appointment till you
shall please to send him a Deputation. As M' Darnal
peremptorily refuses to resign the Naval Office of Potuxent &
become Keeper of either Rent Roll I cannot execute that part
of His Ldp's Instructions as I intended to do as soon as M"'
Thomas & Col° Lloyd come to Annapolis which I expect in a
few Days, I shall give Col° Lloyd such a Hint as you desire
& make M' Tho' an Offer to be Joint Commissary with NP
Tasker which I hope he will accept, otherwise I shall be much
at a loss, there being no Gent" else in the Council at all
acquainted with the Law except M' W"" Goldsborough & Colo
Henry who reside on the Eastern Shore & would not I appre-
hend be induced by such an Office to quit their Plantations, p. iSo
Twas the want of such Gent" in his Ldp's Council as I have
heretofore intimated to you that made me recommend three of
the Profession in my former Lett'' beside those whom His
Ldp approved of. I am sorry the Capt. who charged himself
with the Box you speak of acted so contrary to Order by
delivering it at a distant Post-Office when he was himself bound
direcdy for London. The Lead was inclosed to sink the Box
in case of the Vessel's falling into the hands of the Enemy
which at that time we should not have been surprized to hear
& I conceived such a Precaution necessary on Acco' of the
Plan of Operations which I by that Opportunity sent his Ldp,
but you may be assured no such Accident shall happen for the
future. You say his Ldp would have that part of his Province
which lies beyond Wills-Creek divided from Frederick Cty &

33^ Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Called Westmorland, at present No People inhabit so far back
nor will I am afraid for some Years ; but whenever there may
be enough setled there to support the Expence of Courts I
shall take Care to execute his Ldp's Orders. The Instruction
that His Ldp orders to be recorded in the Land Office I have
sent to the ludges & given Directions for its being made pub-
lick. M' Young has enjoyed the Profitts of the Surveyorship
& Naval Office of Pocomoke ever since his Marriage of which
I see His Ldp is pleased to approve. I had prorogued the
Assembly to the 20''' of next Month before I was favoured with
your Lett" by that time we hope to hear what Measures are
p- 181 taking at home, & it will be as soon as any thing can be done
in Consequence of the Assembly's granting Supplies, in the
mean time I support Capt Dagworthy's Company at Fort
Cumberland, & Lieu' Stodderts party at Tonalloway in Fred''
Cty out of the Money that was subscribed by the Gent" for
that purpose. These Parties I beleive have been in great
measure the Protection of our People who have escaped unin-
jured while Numbers of People in Pens* have been cut off
within Ten Miles of our Forts. The Gov' of that Province has
at last accepted a Bill for ^55.000. to be struck in Paper
& sunck in four years, the Assembly left out that part of the
former Bill which taxed the Proprietaries Estate but appropriated
the ^5000. that the Proprietaries contribute for the Defence of
the Province in the same manner as they have done the Money
granted by the Bill. The Assembly it is said would have
continued obstinate if a Body of near 400 People had not come
in from the Back Country & insisted on their sending up such
a Bill as the Gov' was impowered to pass. The Bodies of
three People that had been scalped were brought down to
Phil* by the distant Inhabitants & exposed in the Streets which
it is probable would have excited unusual Commotions among
the People if the Supply Bill had not been before passed & the
Gov' & Assembly been out of the City. There has not been
any Alterations in Affairs to the Northward since I writ last;
p. 1S2 we hope some more Regiments will be sent from Europe
before the next Campaign otherwise I am afraid General Shirley
will find sufficient Employment for the four that are already
here to secure the Navigation of Ontario Lake, upon which we
have advised him to build immediately three or more larger
Vessels than those two that he built last Summer, upon an
Information laid before Us that the French have at this time
three Vessells of considerable Force on the Stocks in Cataracui
Harbour. Gov' Dinwiddle tells me that finding his Assembly
too about to enter into Cabals at their last Meeting he dissolved
them & issued Writs for a New Election, which being made he
will convene the Assembly again & sollicit farther Supplies

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 337

for carrying on another Expedition ag"^' Fort Du Ouesne which Letter Bk.i.
was advised to be done at the late Congress at N York
I am afraid Crown Point is not accessible for any Body of Pro-
vincial Troops, however the General intends to sollicit all the
Colonies to engage together & make another Attempt to
reduce that place while he is securing Ontario Lake & making
a Descent on Cataracui & Niagara Forts. —

[Sharpe to Robinson.] Letter Bk. 11.

p. 166
Ian'' 6"' 1756 —
R' Honble

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of y"^
Lett" dated the 2&^ July & 28''' of Aug" The Contents of
the first have agreeable to your Order been communicated to
the People of this Province, & in compliance with Gen' Shir-
ley's Desire I was assisting at a Council of War at N York
when I rec'' the other, how Affairs are situated in the Northern
Parts of His Majesty's Dominions on this Continent the Gen'
himself has I doubt not informed you; in this Province nothing
extraordinary has happened, neither have Indian Parties made p. 167
such Incursions into or destroyed the Inhabitants of this as
they have those of the two neighbouring Provinces during the
Winter. Since the Delaware & Shawnese Indians who resided
some time in Pens=> have declared in favour of the French &
taken up Arms ag" Us it has been impossible to get any Intelli-
gence of the Motions or Proceedings of the French on the
Ohio, the Last Account thence was brought by an Indian
some time ago who reported that the Garrison at that time at
Fort Du Quesne consisted of about 1000 Men, & that many
Indians & some Regular Troops who were at the Action of
the Monongahela had been a few Days after sent off to the
Northward

I remain with the greatest Respect

[Sharpe to Shirley.]

Annapolis lanuary the 24"^ 1756.
Sir

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Lett' dated the 30"" Dec"' together with a Copy of the minutes
of the Council's Proceedings at New York & your Scheme for
confirming the Southern Indians in our Interest & engaging
them to act in Conjunction with such Troops as shall be
employed next Summer in this part of the Continent ag" his

338 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

tterBk. II. Majesty's Enemies. I had before writ to Gov' Dinwiddie on
P- '^^ this Subject & a few Days since had the Satisfaction to learn
from him that the Cherokees seem well disposed towards us
& that 1 30 of them have already taken up the Hatchet ag" the
French & are gone with three or four Companies of the Vir-
ginia Rangers to attack one of the Shawnese Towns. Gov"'
Dinwiddie also tells me that two Gent" of his Council have
been to the Catawba as well as the Cherokee Nation with a
considerable Present & Instructions to enter into a formal
Treaty of Peace with them in behalf of His Majesty & all
these Colonies & to endeavour to prevail with them to promise
particularly what Number of Warriours they will send to join
the English Troops in the Spring ; they have given their word
to furnish one Thousand but Gov' Dinwiddie does not inform
me on what Conditions they may be expected. I shall acquaint
the Gent" of our Assembly when they meet with the Steps the
Governt' of Virg^ has taken & what a fair prospect we have of
securing the Friendship of those People & making them of
vast Service to us if they will on their part contribute towards
p. 169 carrying the Plan that you have favoured us with into Execu-
tion. Your Excellency may be likewise assured that nothing
shall be wanting on my Part to procure you the Supplies you ask
of this Province but as I have already intimated to you I am
afraid our People will not be persuaded to send any men hence
to the Northward, whatever they may be to furnish their Quota
towards carrying on another Expedition ag" Fort Du Quesne.
I shall send your Excellency early Advice of the Result of our
Assembly's Meeting & at the same time let you know what
may in my Opinion be effected with such Forces as can be
raised in these Colonies & with the Southern Indians next
Summer. Your Excellency would oblige me by signifying
what Orders are given for the payment of the Waggoners &c
that attended General Braddock from Wills Creek, as the
People are very uneasy lest they should be disappointed in
their Expectations & unless they are first satisfied for their last
Year's Service will be exceedingly averse to engaging again.
If you should have an Opportunity & be inclined to give Capt
Dagworthy a Comm" in your own or any other Regiment you
will be pleased to acquaint me therewith & let me know if it
p. 170 be agreeable to you that he should recruit Men in these Parts
for such Regiment, otherwise as I expect our Assembly will
make provision for keeping it up he will remain at Fort Cum-
berland & continue to command the Company that he has
already raised. I desire you will beleive that I am too anxious
to merit the Continuance of your Correspondence & the
favourable Opinion you have been pleased to entertain of me
ever to neglect an Opportunity of demonstrating that I am
with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency's &c

Correspondence of Governor Sharp e. 339

[Sharpe to Morris.] Letter Bk. 11.

Ian>' 24"'

I return you thanks for forwarding to me by Express the
Packett that you was kind enough to bring from Gen' Shirley
to Phil' & for the Civilities I received at your hands during
my Stay in that City, Since my Return hither I have received
a Lett' from Gov' Dinwiddie advising me that 130 of the
Cherokees have been prevailed on to take up the Hatchet ag"''
the French & that in conjunction with some Companies of the
Virginia Rangers they are gone to attack one of the Shawnese
Towns, he also informs me that two Gent" of his Council who
have been with a considerable present to the Catawba & p- 171
Cherokee Nations have made a League with them both &
engaged them to send 1000 Warriours in the Spring to act in
Conjunction with the Forces that may be employed in this
part of the Continent ag" his Majesty's Enemies. I should be
glad to hear what has been the Event of your Interview with
the Indians you had appointed to meet, & also what measures
have been taken for the Protection of your Frontiers, what
places the Commissioners have ordered Forts to be built what
Number of Men they propose to garrison them with & whether
they will furnish & support any Troops for carrying on another
Expedition to the Westward as well as their Quota for the
Expedition to Crown Point. Our Assembly meets the 20''' of
next month when I shall lay before them the Plan of Opperations
that was concerted at N York & I flatter myself they will con-
tribute something towards carrying it into Execution. At the
same time I shall recommend to them to build some Forts at
proper places on our Frontiers whence Parties from the Garri-
sons may be detatched occasionally to patroll between those
that shall be raised on the Frontiers of your Province & such
as shall be built in Virginia on Potowmack River —

[Sharpe to Hardy.]

Annapolis lan^ the 24"' 1756 —
S'

Since my Return from N York I have had the Satisfaction
to receive a Lett' from Gov"^ Dinwiddie advising me that he
has prevailed with 1 30 of the Cherokees to take up the Hatchet
ag" the French & that they are gone with some Companies
from Virg'' to attack one of the Shawanese Towns. At a
Treaty lately held with the Catawba Nation by two of the
Council of Virg'' They expressed themselves exceedingly
well disposed towards the English & together with the Chero-
kees have engaged to send 1000 Warriours in the Spring to

340 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

Letter Bk. II. act in Conjunction with any Troops that may be employed in
this part of the Continent next Summer ag=' his Majesty's
Enemies. This I look on as a considerable Acquisition & hope
the Alliance of these people will make our Affairs put on a
different face next Summer if these Southern Colonies are not
wanting to themselves & if some Succours are timely sent
us from home I embrace this Opportunity of making my
Acknowledgments for the Civilities I rec** at your hands during
my Stay at N York, & to desire my Comp" to M' Barons &
his Lady at the same time that I assure your Excellency that I
am &c.

Original. [Morris to Sharpe.]

Philid' lan'^y 29"" 1756.
Sir.

I last night returnd from Visiting the frontiers of this
Province in which I have been employd above a month and
Expect in about ten days a chain of forts will be compleated
from Delaware to the New Road made towards the Alleghany
Hills which will be Garrisond by about eight Hundred men.
On the West side of Susquahana the forts are already erected
one at a River Calld Matchitango about twelve miles from
the Sasquahana which I have calld Pomfret castle another near
Juniata where Kishignokilis falls into it, calld fort Granville a
third at Auchwick call'd fort Shirley, and a fourth at the Sugar
Cabins upon the New Road Calld fort Lytellton at each of
these I have placed a Garrison of Seventy five men & orderd
them to range the Woods each way. Fort Lytellton I am told
is within about sixteen mile of a fort you have erected and I
have directed the Party there to range towards that fort, to give
them notice of the Approach of any enemy, and to afford them
all the Assistance in their power.

A Messenger employd upon some private business to your
town gives me an opportunity of Writing you, but allows only
time to mention an unhappy affair that happend at Halifax
between the Col^ Monckton and Winslow who it seems had
some dispute while they were upon Service together but sup-
pressd their resentment till they came to Halifax when meeting
either by Accident or appointment they engaged and are both
wounded in such a manner as to leave little hopes of the
recovery of either of them, this Ace' was sent to Gen' Shirley
by Express and is therefore to be depended on. I last night
receivd the Kings speech in a New York paper which I send
you inclosd by which & by M' Foxes being made Secretary of
State it seems to me a War with france is near at hand
I am Sir Your most obed'

Humble Serv'
Rob' H. Morris.

Correspondeiice of Governor Sharpe. 341

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir

The Letter herewith, I intended by a Messenger that went
away yesterday, without giving me the notice he promised, and
I now send it by the return of the Express, who brought me
your favour of the 24''' Instant.

I have mentioned in that letter, the Chain of Forts and Block
houses, from Deleware towards Potomack along the Kitectiny
hills, those to the West of Susquehannah, are about 20 miles
assunder, those between Susquehannah and Deleware, about
ten, the Garrisons in the former, are seventy five men each,
in the Latter from Fifty to Twenty, according to their scituation
and importance. I also propose to build a Fort at Shamokin,
at the Forks of Susquehana, as soon as the season will admit
a passage up that River, for the mountains north of the
Kitectiny, are quite impassable for Carriages, This is what
our Freindly Indians requested of me, at the late interview, and
say they will collect themselves together, under the protection
of such a Fort, and readily assist us in the defence of our
Frontier, or in any attempts that We shall make upon the
French incroachments. The building these Forts and Block
houses, paying, Arming and Victualing their several Garrisons,
relieving the distress'd Inhabitants that are drove from their
plantations, and other Charges, swallow up the greatest part,
if not the whole of the sixty Thousand pounds granted by the
Assembly.

The operations of the next summer, will therefore require a
new Grant, and I am apt to think my Assembly, would con-
tribute Largely towards an Enterprise to the Westward, if they
could be excused, bearing a part in the Northern Expedition,
but a few days will shew what their Resolutions are, as I have
summon'd them to meet the day after to morrow —

It gives me great pleasure to hear of Governor Dinwiddies
success with the Chirokees, and Catawba's, a thousand of
their Warriours will give our Western affairs another face,
if they are properly employed, especially if those already gone
against the Shawanese Town, should prove Victorious, which
I heartily wish they may.

The Indians that met me, gave me very warm assurances of
their Attachment to the English, and offer'd to serve us in any
Capacity, either as Warriors, or as Messengers, their number
indeed was small, the greatest part of those in our Interest,
having returnd to the Country of the Six Nations, that they
might be out of danger, either from the French, their Indians,
or from us, & from whence they have sent me a Message,
assuring me of their Friendship, and giving the Reason of
their Retreat.

Having been inform'd, that the Enemy Indians had taken up

342 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

their head Quarters, at a place called Nescopeeken, upon the
east branch of Susquehanna, I have sent two trusty Indians
thither, to bring me intelligence of their numbers, and whether
there be any French among them, and how many, and when we
are by these Indians informed of their Scituation, it will be no
difficult matter to Attack, and dislodge them, and I imagine
the Commissioners, will come into measures for that purpose —
I was in such a hurry when I came from New York, and
obliged to go immediatly to the Frontiers, that I had not time
to Write, and Congratulate you, on your safe return, where I
hope you have had perfect health, I find that General Shirley,
and Coll. lohnson, parted upon tolerable Terms, the latter
has been sometime gone to a meeting of the six Nations,
where, I hope he will have the Address, and Influence, to
induce them to loin more unanimously in our cause, than they
have hitherto done, for considering the Principal seat of the
next years operations their assistance, must be a matter, of very
great Importance.

I am Sir
Your Most Faithfull
and obed' Humble Serv'
Rob' H. Morris
February i=' 1756.

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to Shirley.]

P-"" Feb>-2^i756.

Sir

Within three or four Days I have received several Lett" from
the Magistrates in different Parts of this Province informing
me that Those of His Majestys Officers who have been ordered
hither to recruit have lately received your positive Instructions
to enlist without Exception or Distinction all Apprentices &
Servants that they can persuade to enter into the Service,
that the Inhabitants having a great part of their Property
vested in Servants unanimously oppose the Execution of such
Instructions, that on such Opposition Violences have been
committed & that unless their Cause of Complaint be speedily
removed an Insurrection of the People is likely to ensue. The
Magistrates as well as myself have & shall endeavour to pre-
vent Mischief but as the Officers are determined to persevere
unless they are countermanded I think it my Duty to acquaint
your Excellency with this Affair & to intimate to you my Fears
& that I shall find myself under a necessity, (if a Stop be not
put to such Proceedings) of making a Representation home on
this Subject. I cannot promise that the People will be much
longer restrained from expressing their Resentment by Actions:
I think it my Duty to make this Representation to y Excel-

Correspondence of Governor Sharp e. 343

lency & hope you will not be averse to countermanding such Letter Bk. 11.
Orders, otherwise I shall find myself under a necessity of
exerting the Power with which I am invested to preserve the
peace of the Province —

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Sir

I have the pleasure to acquaint you that I have received a
letter from Scanoyady dated 4"" January at Onondago an
Indian Town situate on the head Branches of the Sasquehannah
in which he informs me that he & Montour were got safe
there, tho not without abundance of Danger. That the Dela-
wares were obstinately bent on the distruction of the English
& say they will pay no regard to the Interposition of the six
Nations tho they should send to them their greatest Sachems.
He advices me to put the Province into a Posture of Defence
but not to Act offensively till I should hear further from him
& be made acquainted with the Determination of the six
nations, who he hears were convend by Coll' Johnson & that
he propos'd to be at the General Convention & there represent
the conduct of the Delawares & Shawonese ; & he hopes with
success, as he heard that the six Nations disapproved of their
Hostilities & would resent it. By this Journy he and M' Mon-
tour have demonstrated that they are our true friends and as
such will deserve our best encouragements. M' Clause, a
young man who has for sometime past liv'd in the upper
Mohock Castle, and is said to understand the Indian Language,
attends the Treaty (which was appointed to be on the 22'' of
lanuary & I hope is now holding at Coll' Johnsons) on the part of
Pennsylvania & will hasten to this City as soon as it shall be
ended, and as soon as I know the result I will impart it to you.

Two of the Neutrals, one imported at New York and the
other here, have obtaind my Leave to go to Annapolis in
quest of their Families who they think are in some of the
Ships which have arrivd in your Province. If they light of
them, or any other of the wives & children belonging to those
imported here, I desire the favour of you to suffer as many to
come to their Friends here as these two will undertake to con-
duct and defray the charges of their Journy. I do not mean to
put you or my self to any Expence for their removal. But if
loseph Munier & Simon Leblanc who are recommended to me
as good and worthy People and one of whom had been in the
service of his Majesty will bring any here at their own Expence
I desire they may be indulgd to do it. I am Sir

Your most faithfull

and most obed'
Humble Serv'
Philad^ 2" ) Rob' H. Morris

Feb'>' 1756 f

344 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Original. [Sir Charles Hardy to Sharpe.]

Fort George New York the 9''' Feb^ 1756
Sir

I am favoured with yours of the 24"" of last month and am
much obliged to you for the Intelligence from Virginia ; the
great and good Consequences that must arise to his Majesty's
Service from a Junction of such a number of Warriors from
the Catawba & Cherokee Nations, are to obvious to leave a
doubt that the Southern Colonies will not exert themselves,
and take the Advantage of so favourable a disposition among
those Indians, they will by it not only secure to themselves
success in any enterprize undertaken in Conjunction with
them, but fi.x them in a firm alliance to the Brittish Interest.

Inclosed is a Copy of Indian Intelligence sent me by Col°
lohnson, it appears to me this French Ofificer, is rather
endeavouring to frighten the Indians, for I can hardly think
he can be unacquainted with the Strength of the Garison at
Oswego, and that admitted, it may not be so easy to surprize
and steal that Fort, at a season of the Year that must make
the attempt very difficult, and in the end miscarry if our Gari-
son there is not very negligent indeed ; Col° lohnson writes
me that he has received an Answer to a Message he sent the
Delawares, requireing them to desist from all Hostilities
against the English, and that they have promised no more
mischeif shall be done, but that they will wait the result of his
meeting with the Six Nations which he informs me he expects
will be very numerous, and hopes by it to stop the Ravages
Committed by the Indians, on the back Settlements in Pensil-
vania.

The first Packet arrived from England the ■^^ Instant the
Captain is instructed to stay here no longer than twenty days
and the Post Masters General, have desired by their Letter,
that I will not delay her Sailing to any longer time but in cases
of necessity. The time appears to me to be to short, for the
distant Governments to answer their Letters by her return ; I
do therefore propose to recommend a longer time to the Post
Office.

I am impatiently waiting the return of my Express from
Boston, that carried the Resolutions of my Assembly to Gen-
eral Shirley and the Eastern Governments.

I shall also hope to hear your Assembly will take their Share
in the Services of this Year, recommended by the Council of
Warr held in this City.

M' Barons and my Sister join with me in their Sincere
Regards. I beg my Compliments to the Gentlemen that came
with you, and am — I am Sir.

Your most Obedient
and Humble Servant
The Hon"'^ Gov' Sharp. Cha= Hardy

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 345

[Sharpe to Morris.] Letter i

Feb^- 1 4"- 1756—

Your Lett' of the i" & 2"^ Inst as well as one dated the 29""
Ian>' I am favoured with & am much obliged to you for
acquainting; me with the Steps you have taken to prevent any
future Incursions of the Indians & for your promise that I shall
not long remain ignorant of the Result of the Treaty that was
about to be held at Col° lohnson's. Your Request in favour
of Munier & Le blanc shall be complied with whenever they
desire to return to Phil^ the Wife & Family of the first are
here, the other is gone to look for his in a distant part of the
Province. Our Assembly meets the 20"" I am afraid they
will not be much inclined to comply with General Shirley's
Requisition by sending Troops to act in Conjunction with those
of the Eastern Gov'* for by what I can find they think the Gen'
has taken Men enough hence already, & will not be reconciled
to the Officers enlisting Servants in pursuance of their Recruit-
ing Instructions. I hope the Regiments are nearly compleated
or that the Gen' will very shortly countermand such Orders,
otherwise I don't know to what Lengths the People's Resent-
ment might carry them. We are told that the Packett from
Falmouth is arrived at N York, I should be glad to learn
what is done, or in Agitation at home If any Lett" that came p- 175
by her directed for me lye in your Post Office I should be
extremely obliged to you for getting and sending them hither
by Express, else as the Post from Phil" to Annapolis is so very
irregular I may not get them this Month. In what Temper
does your Assembly meet, or have they granted any farther
Supplies? if they set us a laudable Example be kind enough
to intimate as much to S*^ &c

[Col. Hooper to Sharpe.]

25"' feb'- 1756.
May it please Y'' Excels

I received y' Excellency's Letf w''' an Extract of the Pro-
ceedings of the Honb' Will'" Johnson Esq'' with the confederate
Nations of Indians at the publick Meeting at Mount Johnson
in June & July last W*' I have communicated to the several
Tribes of Indians belonging to our County in general & par-
ticularly to lemikakonick & lame Sam, & received this answer
from one & all to wit that they were a very poor people &
small in Number not exceeding 17 Men at the most & some
of them old & Decrepid & not able to travel ; then they gave
the String inclosed desiring it might be delivered to the

346 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Indians of the Six Nations. I assure your Excellency my own
Conduct w"" regard to our Indians has always been such that
I never hindered them from travelling to any part of the Conti-
nent; the truth of which they have all done me the justice to
acknowledge nor did I ever hear of their being sent for by the
Six Nations until the Receipt of Y"^ Excellency's Lett'

I am
May it please y'' ExcelP''
Y' most dutifull & most obed' humb. serv'
Henry Hooper.

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to Dinwiddie.l

P- '75

l^ of March 1756
S'

Our Lower House of Assembly have I find after sitting
Eleven Days passed a Vote for granting ^40000 for his
Majestys Service & the better Defence of our Frontiers They
yesterday desired me to communicate to them any Intelligence
i may have received concerning the Southern Indians, what
Assistance we might reasonably expect from the Cherokee &
Catawba Nations & how this Province may best contribute
jointly with the neighbouring Govern" to secure the Friend-
ship & Alliance of these People. I should be obliged to you
for writing to me your Sentiments on that Subject as well as
for enabling me to send a particular Answer to the first part of
the inclosed Address. I do not know who has given them the
Intimation they speak of but as we shall be much in want of
Arms should they raise any considerable Number of Men I
p. 176 hope they have not been misinformed & shall be glad to hear
that you have wherewith to supply us. I do not learn that the
Pensilvanians have granted any farther Supplies ; but S' Cha^
Hardy tells me the Assembly of N York have voted 1000 Men
for the Service of the ensuing Summer he also informs me
that the Indians from Onondaga have sent notice that the
French intended & were preparing to attack Oswego this
winter ; the Indians themselves seem to be much alarmed, but
I hope that their Fears are groundless, or that if the French
were really in motion on the Lakes General Shirley has taken
such measures as must render their Enterprize abortive —

Of'g'nai. [Morris to Sharpe.]

Philadelphia 4 March 1756.
Sir

I have your Favour of the 14''' Feb'^ I have not heard
from Col' Johnson, but expect an Account of the Indian

Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe. 347

Treaty every day having an Interpreter there who has my
orders to proceed here & bring with him the Minutes of what
passes as soon as the Treaty is finish'd and I shall transmit
them to you as soon as they come to hand.

I thank you for your favour to Munier Le Blanc which I was
induced to ask from Compassion to him & his Family.

I hope your Assembly will not suffer any thing done by the
Officers in enlisting Servants to prejudice the Kings Service in
such important Points as you have to lay before them.

The London Packet is arrivd and sailed last Tuesday
Sevennight for England. You have no Letters lying in the
Post Office.

My Assembly have been sitting since the 3'' Febry but
I have not as yet heard from them on any of the matters
I recommended to them, nor do I know as what disposition
they are but I judge from their silence that it is not very
favourable as to the supplies requested of them.

This waits on you by Express with Letters from Gen'
Shirley by which you will be informd of what is doing to the
Eastward where a noble warlike spirit reigns but when it will
spread into these Western Regions God only knows.
I am with great truth Sir

Your Most obed' Humble Serv'
Rob' H: Morris.

[Shirley to Sharpe.j original.

Boston March s'*" 1756.
Sir

Inclosed is the Extract of a Letter which I have lately
received by Colonel Washington from Gov' Dinwiddle calling
upon me to determine the right of Command between him and
Cap' Dagworthy.

You was pleased to assure me at New York that you would
send such Orders to Cap' Dagworthy as would put an end to
this dispute and afterwards that you had actually done it.

I should be extremely unwilling to do any thing that might
appear in the least disagreeable to any Gentleman, who has
had the Honour of bearing his Majesty's Commission, and
should have been glad that no such Dispute had come before
me ; But as the Command I am honoured with from his
Majesty obliges me upon all occasions to act the best for His
Service, I must desire that Cap' Dagworthy may be removed
from Fort Cumberland ; or acquainted, that if he remains
there, he must put himself under the Command of Colonel
Washington.

348 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

I have taken some time to consider this point, and cannot
think, that Cap' Dagworthy, who now acts under a Provincial
Commission, has any Right to the Command as there are no
Regular Troops join'd with those Troops now at Fort Cumber-
land, which would be the only Circumstance, that could occa-
sion a Dispute concerning the Right of Provincial Field
officers to Command, in preferrence to Captains bearing Com-
missions from his Majesty.

I should have sent my orders to Cap' Dagworthy thro' my
Aid de Camp, but as you have proposed to me to give him
sucli as would effectually remove the occasion of the dispute,
I cant but hope you will still do it ; and I think besides, as he
now acts under a Provincial Commission ; it will be more reg-
ular that they should be transmitted to him from you.

With respect to the Command of Fort Cumberland, I am
informed by Cap' Morris my Aid de Camp that the late
General Braddock had private Instructions from His R H the
Duke to put it in a Condition to contain a Garrison of 200
Men and that he appointed Col. Inne's Gov'' of it which was
given out in orders, if that be so, the matter must remain on
the same foot he put it upon.

I am very sorry to find that the Recruiting officers enter-
taining Indented Servants, is likely to produce an Insurrection
in your Government ; as the officers have assured me that it
will not be in their power to execute his Majesty's orders for
augmenting their Regiments to 1000 each in time for his
Service, without my taking of the Restraint, I had lay'd them
under in that respect, I cant revoke my late Orders for taking
it off without being Guilty of a Breach of my Duty to his
Majesty; and I cant but hope that your Honour and the
Magistrates will have authority enough within your Govern-
ment to prevent the bad Effects, you seem in your Letter to be
apprehensive of.

I must beg leave to referr you to the inclosed Copy of my
Letter to Gov' Morris for my Sentiments at large upon this
point.

I am with great Regard

Sir, Your Honour's most obedient

Humble Servant

W Shirley

Extract of a Letter from Governor Dinwiddie
to General Shirley dated lanuary 23'' 1756.

Governor Sharpe has not answer'd your Pixcellency's Inten-
tions in removing the Dispute between Col: Washington &
Cap' Dagworthy; he has order'd him to keep the Command
of the Fort, w'^'' he does in an absolute manner; we have

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 349

purchas'd and laid in Provisions for 1000 Men for one Year;
as the Fort was the most safe Place they were deposited there,
& a Commissary appointed at the Charge of this Country,
he will not allow him to discharge his Duty but refuses any of
the Provisions to be touch'd but by his Order; and tho' the
Provisions are supply'd by this Country, he insists on a Right
to supply his own Men from our Magazine, tho' Maryland pays
no part of the Charge, he otherways acts in an Arbitary man-
ner, & insists on his Rank superior to any of our Officers, &
he has not above thirty men, when Col: Washington has
upwards of 500.

This Fort was built by Virtue of his Majesty's Instructions to
me, & by my orders to Col: lames Innes then in the pay of this
Colony, & with a great Charge to this Country; it's true it
happens to be in Maryland, but I presume his Majesty has a
Right to build a Fort where he pleases in any of his Colonies ;
& the Guns mounted are Guns sent by his Majesty for the
Service of Virginia ; it cannot reasonably be suggested that his
Majesty intended them for the Proprietor of Maryland.

General Braddock gave a Commission to Col: Innes to be
Governor of the Fort ; his private Affairs calling him to his
Estate in North Carolina, he appointed Lieut: Col: Stephens to
command in his Absence : Cap' Dagworthy with his pretended
Rank wrested the Command from him without any Rule but
his Commission of Captain in the Canada Expedition, tho' not
on the half pay list, but receiv'd a Sum of Money in lieu ; by
his accepting that Money I am of Opinion he revok'd the Com-
mission.

This Affair makes such noise here that I thought it necessary
to send Col. Washington to you, who can be more particular :
If I was to call the Assembly now, I know this Affair has rais'd
the Rancour of the People so much that they would go into
Extremes of Resentment & do no Business for the Service :
I am sorry I have occasion to be so long on this Affair, but as
it makes much Noise here, & without you interpose your
Authority I do not know what will be the Consequence;
as formerly, I desire the Favour of a Brevet Commission to
Col: Washington & to the other Field Officers, & that you
would please to reinstate Col. Stephens to the Command of
the Fort 'till Governor Innes returns : As Commander in
Chief of the Forces this is in your power only, & without some
Regulation in regard to this unhappy Dispute, I shall not be
able to do any thing with our Assembly.

I forgot to mention, that Fort Cumberland being a King's
Fort, 1 cannot conceive that the Proprietor's Governor can
have any Right to appoint a Governor, & more so as it has
been built by this Government; the Right is in you, and I
doubt not you will assume it in order to restore Peace.

350 Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe.

Letter Bk. II. [Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

p. 176

March the 7* 1756

The Bearer comes Express with Lett'^ from Gen' Shirley
whence I presume you will learn that he has sent me a Com-
mission & Orders to take the Command of 4000 Men which
he expects will be raised in these Southern Colonies for an
Expedition to the Westward over & above a Body of 3284
which are to be sent hence to the Northward to act in Conjunc-
tion with the Troops that he will himself command on the
western Lakes. I am afraid that His Excellency is much too
sanguine in his hopes & Expectations from these Colonies ; by
what I can find none of them have yet come to a Resolution to
furnish their respective quotas for the Expeditions proposed
to be carried on to the Northward but as I am ordered to take
p. 177 the Command of such Forces as may be raised for an Expe-
dition to the Westward I shall be glad to know how many men
your Govern' will engage to furnish for that Service ; when
they will be able to rendezvous at Fort Cumberland & ag"
what time a sufificient quantity of Provisions will be laid in
there for their Subsistance during the Campaign, if you can
engage a sufficient Number of Waggons & Horses to attend
such Troops, whether you have a sufficient Magazine of Arms
& Ammunition & a Train of Artillery proper for such an
Expedition or what you can furnish towards a Train for such
Service. I must beg you also to let me know whether you
have received any late Advice from Gov" Dobbs or Glen of the
Intentions of the Carolina Govern'" to join with these Colonies
in attempting the Reduction of Fort Du Ouesne & if you have
not been already well informed with respect to those particu-
lars that you will write to Governors Glen & Dobbs & desire
to know what assistance we may certainly expect from them
respectively, & what Number of Warriours the Cherokee &
Catawba Nations will engage to send us. I shall immediately
acquaint the General with the Difficulties that I am afraid we
shall labour under in putting his Plan in Execution unless he
can venture to give me Money or Credit, but I cannot be so
explicet & particular as I could wish till I receive your answer
which therefore I shall impatiently desire & hope to receive as
soon as possible.

A Letf was at the same time writ to Gov"' Morris to
know how many men that Gov' would engage to furnish
for this Expedition to the westward —

Correspofidence of Governor Sharpe. 351

[Sharpe to Shirley.] i

Annapolis, the 7''' of March 1756.
S'

I am just favoured with your Letf dated the 23'' of Feb^ &
am much obliged to you for your kind Intention in honouring
me with a Commission to command w' Forces shall be raised
in these Southern Colonies for an Expedition to the westward
tho'I am very apprehensive that I shall not find myself enabled
by these Colonies to execute your Commission as you may
expect or as I could wish. The warlike Spirit that has spread
itself thro the Eastern Colonies has not (I am sorry to say it)
yet reached these Regions, hitherto these Provinces appear
quite inactive & so far from being disposed to comply with
your Requisition by sending Troops hence to act in Conjunc-
tion with his Majesty's Regiments under your immediate Com-
mand that they have not even made provision for effectually
securing their own Frontiers. I have writ to Gov' Dinwiddle
to know how many Troops that Dominion will engage to
furnish for the Service on which your Excellency is pleased to
order me & also what Assistance we may certainly expect from
the Carolinas. The Assembly of Pens'' has I hear been sitting
a month & is not yet come to any Resolutions to grant Sup-
plies of Men or Money towards carrying any Part of the Plan
that you submitted to us at N York into Execution which
makes me fear they will not so readily contribute their quota
either as your Excellency seems to hope. The Assembly of
this Province too has been now met a fortnight but have not
yet come to any Determination with respect to the several
matters that agreeably to your Lett' I recommended to their
Consideration. A Vote has indeed passed for granting ^40000
this or Pens'" Curr^^' but from Experience I find that with us
there is a wide Difference between voting a Sum of Money
& granting or raising it; but suppose for once the several
Branches of this Legislature should be unanimous & agree
with regard to the mode of raising money ^40.000 will go but
a little way towards raising subsisting & transporting the
number of Men that is deemed the Quota of this Colony, for
a larger Sum I am persuaded I shall apply in vain but your
Excellency may be assured that I will leave nothing untried to
bring about what each of us so earnestly desire & have so much
at heart. I must observe to your Excellency that we are but
very badly provided either with Arms or Ammunition in these
Provinces & that all together we shall be unable to compose a
tolerable Train of Artillery which I doubt not your Excellency
will think absolutely necessary for us to be provided with. As
your Excellency knows very considerable contingent Expences

352 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. 11. will unavoidably attend the Execution of any part of your
Excellency's plan for the Reduction of Fort Du Quesne for
which I am sensible the Colonies will never provide (people
entirely unacquainted with Military Affairs being apt to think
that every thing beyond cloathing paying & victualing the
Troops is Excess) I hope I shall be excused for desiring some
other Cash that what the Assemblies may grant or a Lett' of
Credit for as much as you shall judge requisite for defraying
such contingent Charges as the Colonies that shall put Troops
under my Command will not take upon themselves. As I
must also request the favour of your Excellency to appoint
some Ingineer on this Service I should be glad M' Gordon
were ordered to the Southward as he is a Gent" with whom I
have heretofore had some acquaintance & is is now at Phih
When I receive a Lett' from Gov' Dinwiddie to whom I have
sent an Express with your Packett or as soon as our Assembly
come to any Resolution to be depended on I will not fail to
send your Excell'*' speedy Intelligence & I shall be much
obliged to you for the favour of an answer as soon as possible
or as shall be convenient, in the mean time

I am &c —

[Sharpe to Fox."]

8"> of March 1756 —
Right Honble —

I embrace this first Opportunity of acknowledging the Re-
ceipt of a Lett' you was pleased to honour me with in Nov' &
to express the pleasure I receive from being directed to address
180 my Lett'^ to you as one of His Majestys principal Secretaries
of State as also to assure you that with the greatest punctuality I
will acquaint you with any important Occurrence that may
happen in this Part of His Majesty's Dominions. I will always
endeavour to shew my Duty to His Majesty by complying
most readily with whatever Instructions you may at any time
be pleased to send me & you will I hope do me the Justice to
beleive that it shall be my constant Study to approve myself

R' Hon"=

[Sharpe to Lords of Trade.]

Copy of a Lett' to the L''^ of Trade that was writ the
S"' Feb" not sent till now.
R'Hon"=

In Obedience to y' Ldp's Commands signified to me in a
Lett' dated the 1 9"" of Sept' which I lately rec'' I am to acquaint

Correspondence of Governor Sharps. 353

your Ldps that there are in & belonging to this Province 19'
Carriage Guns all Iron but very good 4 of them are 6
pounders & 15 four pounders the last not mounted. In the
Magazine is 16"" weight of 6"" shot & 24 half Barrels of Powder;
of musquet Ball & Bar Lead we have a considerable quantity
& there were last Spring about 500 stand of small Arms
belonging to the Publick most of which are in the hands of the
men that have been raised for the protection of the Frontiers
& some were lost at the Action of the Monongahela. The
Militia of this Colony are near 16500, One third of whom at
least are entirely destitute of Arms & many of the Guns that
are the property of the Rest are very bad & scarcely fit for use.
For want of a proper Militia Law (which the assembly has been
frequently in vain sollicited to make) the people are undici-
plined as well as badly armed & cannot be compelled to serve
in Defence of the Country. The white Inhabitants in Mary-
land are 107.963, the Black 46225. I apprehend about 26000
of the former are able to bear Arms, but all Civil Officers
& persons of particular Trades or Callings being exempted by
Law, convicted servants incapacitated & Roman Catholicks
excluded or excused by Custom the Militia does not exceed the
number abovementioned.

There are no works in this Province that deserve the name
of Fortifications; just behind & among our most western
Settlements are some small Stoccado or Palisadoe Forts to
which the Inhabitants may carry their wives & Children for
Protection in Case of Alarms, while themselves unite &
endeavour to prevent any small Parties of Indians making
Incursions & destroying their stock & Habitations; beside
these there is one larger tho in my Opinion not much more
capable of Defence, on potowmack about 46 miles beyond our
Settlements, it has been distinguished by the Appellation of
Fort Cumberland & is at present garrisoned by 400 men from
Virg" & this Gov' Ten of the Carriage Guns that His Majesty
was graciously pleased to order to Virg'' two years since are
mounted in this Fort which is made with Stoccadoes & com-
manded almost on every side by circumjacent Hills. About 16
Miles on this side thereof is an Eminence situated just at the
Conflux of the two streams called the North & South Branches
of Potowmack & almost as far up as that River is Navigable
for the smallest Craft, which might be easily fortified & I
think rendered very strong at a small Expence. Should
any more Troops be marched thro Virg" to the westward
a place of Arms thereabouts would be absolutely necessary
& I beleive nothing would contribute more effectually to the
security of this & the contiguous parts of the two neighbouring
Colonies than the Constructing a strong Fort there & gar-

354 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. risoning it with a sufficient number of men. Tiiis in Obedience
to the Orders that I had the honour to receive I humbly submit
to Y^ Ldps & am R' Honb'^ &c—

[Sharpe to Pownall.]

To lohn Pownall Esq'' Sec' to the Board of Trade 8'*' Feb'
S^

In Obedience to their Ldps Commands 1 send you inclosed
particular Answers to the Heads of Enquiry that I was
favoured w'*' in ¥■" Letf of the 15"' July last w* did not come
to hand till Dec' I presume you have long eer this received a
Collection of the Laws which have from time to time been
passed & are now in force in this Gov' as they were transmitted
in Sept' by a Vessel of whose safe arrival at London I have
been advised — I am

Papers.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

Annapolis the 8''' of March 1756
Sir

His Lordship was pleased by his Instructions bearing Date
the 22^ of Aug'' to direct me to appoint M' Young (who by
marrying M" Graham is become related to His Lordship) to
the Naval Office of Pocomoke & also to be Surveyor Gen' of
the Eastern Shore, in this I had anticipated his Lordships
Commands & being desirous to serve M"' Young more par-
ticularly on Account of his Marriage as much as lay in my
Power I had also given him the Disposal of the Sheveralty
of Calvert County by which he receives ^50 p Ann. but upon
his Coming to Annapolis to know why he was not also called
to the Council Board agreeable to his Lordships Orders, I
thought my Duty to His Lordship obliged me to advise him
ag" insisting on that Step till I could have an Opportunity of
writing to His Lordship or Yourself thereon. At the same
time I represented to him that His Lordships Interest & the
present State of the Council absolutely required that some
Person of Abilities & if possible a Lawyer should be first pre-
ferred to that honour, that I daily expected His Lordships
Instructions in Answer to Letters that I had writ on that Sub-
ject, & that if he would for a short time wave his Pretensions
he would seem to consult His Lordships Interest & oblige me,
& that as Nobody was privy to his being nominated by His
Lordship but himself & me, his being not instantly called to
the board could not be looked on by any here as a Neglect of
him. I ventured so far as to tell him who I had recommended

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 355

to the first Vacancies, & upon a Consciousness that their CaWert
superiour Quahfications might at this time be more serviceable p^'p^"-
to His Lordship than he could hope to be, he seemed to
acquiesce & I promised him that as far as I should think it
consonant with my Duty to His Lordship he might rest assured
I should always be ready to serve him, to do which he must
have been persuaded as I beleive you also are that I never
wanted Inclination. Upon his saying that he expected I would
make some farther Provision for him than the places which he
already holds I desired him to acquaint me how I might do so
& promised him that if twas in my power I should readily
comply with his Request, He answered the ClerksP of Kent
County would satisfy his Desires it being an Office w'='' might
in great measure be executed by a good Writer that he could
easily engage for that purpose (that Clerkship you know you
have already promised to a Son of the late Commissary Gen'
whose Estate lies in Kent County & ordered his Name to be
entered in the Secretary's Office in memory of your having so
done) I told him that in case a Clerkship should be vacant I
had not the least Objection to such a proposition but observed
that if he accepted such a Place he must relinquish all thoughts
of being a Councillor, as there was a great Impropriety in a
Persons being such a Ministerial Officer as a County Clerk
is & at the same time being a Member of a Superiour Branch
of the Legislature. Of this he said he would consider; & as
he is lately removed hither with his Family, I have since had
an Opportunity of conversing on this Subject with M" Young
who does not seem much inclined to consent to her Husband's
waving his Right to a Seat at the Council tho as she desires
he may have a lucritive Employment as well as Honour she
hopes he may depend on the Clerkship of Kent County when
it becomes vacant (that being the best in the Province & Kent
a pleasant part of the Country) but as it is possible M' Smith
the present Clerk might live many years tho he is pretty old,
She hopes neither His Lordship nor yourself will be ag''
appointing M' Young Keeper of the Western Shore Rent-
Roll till the Clerkship falls, & desires I will second her
in making such a Request. I have spoke to Colonel
Lloyd to resign it & accept of the Eastern Shore Roll
in lieu thereof & at the same time gave him in writing a
Power & Order to dismiss M' Tilghman from His Lordship's
Service as soon as he had brought him to a proper Account,
& made him resign up all the Books & Papers which he
has relating to his Lordship's Rents. I do not know whether
Colonel Lloyd has yet discharged M' Tilghman but he
is entirely averse to accepting that himself in lieu of the
Western Shore Roll ; & M"^ Darnall also declines & refuses

356 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

•Calvert to acccpt either. The Inclosed Is a Copy of M' Darnall's
Papers. Lgjj.r }^ aiiswer to the proposal that in Obedience to His
Lordship's Instructions I made him, he has at present the
Naval Office of Potuxent which as he does not reside near that
River he executes by Deputy ; Unless I receive Instructions
to the Contrary he will continue to enjoy that place ; but
should His Lordship be willing to have it conferred on any
other Gent" I submit whether M' Darnall may not on M'
Young's Resigning the Offices he holds at present for one
more lucrltive be appointed Naval Officer of Pocomoke, the
Duty of which he might perhaps be able to execute by one of
his Sons who I am told resides near that River ; in such Case
the Surveyorship would buy a Friend in the Lower House who
might receive the Profitts, & to prevent It's being known let
the Office be held In some third Person's Name as has been
heretofore done ; or that Office might be conferred on one of
the Council or otherwise as you shall judge best. AP Darnall
I hear entertains very sanguine hopes of being one of the
Council as I sometime since hinted to you, but I hope His
Lordship will not be willing to promote him so far on the
Consideration that the Nomination of a Person so obnoxious to
the People on Account of his Family's being educated in a
Religion ag" which it is the fashion to be clamorous, will
create great Uneasinesses here ; & even out of regard to M''
Darnall himself I would advise him to decline It. Be pleased
to signify his Lordship's pleasure with respect to him as well
as M' Young as soon as possible & I shall most punctually
perform whatever shall be agreeable to His Lordship & your-
self concerning them. You seem to think that as M"^ Bordley
is Attorney Gen' & Naval Officer of Annapolis it would be
proper to remove him to the Council, that such Persons are
those that should be preferred to Seats there I entirely agree
with you, & after M' Dulany I do not care if he be thought
most proper to be preferred. You apprehend that Colonel
Lloyd is dissatisfied at M' Cha' Goldsborough's being not
taken into the Council ; I hope he Is not such a Person as can
bear no Disappointment without Resentment ; however tho I
cannot approve of M' Goldsborough as a Councillor yet as he
has not of late behaved amiss & might be made a usefuU Tool
In the Lower House (of which he & one of his Brothers are
Members) on Account of his Cunning & Capacity to lead or
impose on some of the Burgesses, I could wish to have It In my
power to secure him, & from his Disposition I guess that might
be done by giving him the Profitts of the Eastern Shore Sur-
veyorship in case of M' Young's being better provided for:
this I presume would also satisfy Colonel Lloyd & make M'
Goldsborough serve His Ldp In a Character for which he
seems best adapted. Agreeable to His Ldp's Instructions of

Correspondence of Governor S/iai'pe. 357

the 2 2"^ of August & as I writ in my last, I let M"" Thomas CaWert
know that upon M"" Dulany's Resignation His Lordship had ^^p*^"^^-
directed that some Gentleman of the Council should be
appointed to succeed him as Joint Commissary with M' Tasker,
& that if he chose to accept he should not want my Approba-
tion : On his embracing the Offer I acquainted M' Tasker
therewith fully persuaded that as he was to have a Copartner
he would not refuse to accept M' Thomas as such. M' Tasker
expressed himself a little surprized at what I said of His Lord-
ship's Instructions, & thereon produced Your Letter advising
him that if it was agreeable to him he might upon M' Dulany's
Resignation remain sole Commissary, which he said he would
choose to do ; accordingly 1 was obliged to make an Apology
to M' Thomas for making him an Offer of what I could not
dispose of, & desire him for the present to accept in lieu
thereof my promise that if it shall ever lye in my power he
shall always find me ready & disposed to serve him. Col°
Lloyd has not been over here lately, I have writ twice for him
to attend the Upper House this Session, as soon as he comes
I will communicate to him what you write concerning his Neg-
lect in remitting His Lordship's Money & once more press him
to a more punctual Compliance with His Lordship's Instructions
as well as your repeated Advice on that Subject. You bid me
look out for a proper Person to succeed him in case His Lord-
ship should determine to appoint another Agent; had not
M' Tasker already resigned it I should not scruple to mention
him, & then I would not despair of seeing M' Dulany sole
Commissary ; indeed I think that Office should by all means
have been his, however as His Ldp was pleased to order
otherwise I do not renew my Solicitation on that head.
M' Calvert I think would be a pretty punctual Agent, were his
Appointment agreeable to His Lordship ; beside him there is
M' Thomas or M' Goldsborough, or M' Dulany by his Brother
Walter. IVT Young I cannot venture to recommend to such a
Trust, as his having spent a pretty good Fortune within two or
three years forbids me to think he is the best Oconomist or
qualified for a Place of so great Importance &c

I am &c

Hor° Sharpe
P. S. Inclosed are Seconds of Bills of Excha as heretofore
for your Use & Disposal

fDinwiddie to Sharpe.1 Lower

■- '^ -' House

Williamsburg March 8"^ I7s6. Journal,
Sir s /o ,^5^_5^.

p. 193
The Commissioners to the Catawbas and Cherokees have
Been gone a month When they Return shall give you a

358 Corresfioiidence of Governor Sharpe.

Lower Truc Account of their Transactions with those people I have
To^rnaf some hopes they will supply us with a Thousand men who
1754-57' must be paid and supported by the Neighbouring Colonies.

The Cherokees that came into Augusta About three months
ago, with 230 of our Rangers are gone to Attack the Shaw-
nesse in their Towns, I wish them success and on their
Return shall give you an Account what has been done by
them —

We are Intirely in want of Arms, none are sent here from
his Majesty ; our agent says there are 6000 sent to New
England to be Distributed among the Colonies, they woud
have come sooner to hand if sent from London ; I have wrote
General Shirley the great want we are in and Desired to be
Supplyed if in his power I am glad your Assembly has Voted
40,000 and wish our Assembly may be prevaled on to grant a
handsum sum They mett the 25'''

I am sorry for that part of your letter, that the French intend
to Attack Oswego this Winter, and hope the Intelligence is
groundless but I fear we have not Men sufficient there to
Defend the place.

I should gladly hope that the operations for these Southern
Colonies shoud be to the Ohio if they did not succeed in
Takeing the Fort they would make a very good Dispersion by
hindering them on the Ohio from marching to Niagara; and I
fear its Impossible to prevale with our people to go to Albany.
There are four Brass cannon of 1 2 pounders with all their
Appertenances Landed here. General Shirley ordered them
to New York, but I stopt them till I here from him as they will
be greatly wanted, if we make any attempt the other side the
Allegany mountains in the summer. I send you a Book and
a small Bottle left With me for you.

I am with great Respect and esteem
Your Excellencys
Most humble and Obedient Serv'
P. S. pray have you any Account Rob' Dinwiddle
of Col° Cornwallies being Appointed to
Command in Chief.

I have sent by the Commissioners
to the Catawba's and Cherokees Goods
to the Amount of 1000 for a Present.
Gov' Sharpe

Original. [Baltimore to Sharpe.]

London March 9. 1756.
Dear Sir/

I have the Pleasure to deliver this to the Earl of Loudoun,
and to inform you of the Happiness His Majesty has done

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 359

America by His Appointment of his Lordship Commander in
Chief of all His Forces there. His Lordship's real Merit is so
well known and acknowledg'd as needs no Illustration. My
Desire is, and seriously require of you My Lieut Governor,
That you do not fail in Obedience of His Majesty's Commis-
sion to his Lordship and to the Importance and Service thereof.
And that you in every thing with Fidelity will render your Self
and incite the Legislature of Assembly in the Province to give
all Aid and Supply requisite, and to require the Magistrates
and officers Military, as well as all other Persons strictly by
Duty and Allegiance to His Majesty to conform themselves
with Service ; That his Lordship thereby may be enabled to
carry on with Vigour His Majesty's Service against the Com-
mon Enemy the Invaders of His Majesty's Crown and Dignity,
wishing you health and happiness I am with Esteem
Your affectionate Friend

Baltimore

Pos' An Act of Parliament being passed — To enable His
Majesty to grant Commissions to Foreign officers to Rank in
America, and to raise Four Thousand men there for the defence
of the Colonies; And being sensible of the great Utility and
Advantage that must Accrue by such a Force. I therefore
desire you'l Exert your Self in the Inlisting of the Force under
the Command of his Lordship.

To Horatio Sharpe Esq' Lieut Governor of Maryland.

[Calvert to Sharpe. Fragment.] Original

London March the 9"" 1756.
Sir./

Last January the 6''' I received a Letter from M' Pownall
Secretary to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Planta-
tions, The Contents of which was viz' " He being by their
Lordships Commanded to prepare for their Consideration the
most exact Account he could Collect from the Information of
the Persons for the several Colonies in North America and
from the Acts and Proceedings of the Legislature of the said
Colonies, of the number of men raised and of the Sums of
money granted to His Majesty and Issued in each Colony since
the i" of January 1755 for repelling any Invasion or removing
of any Encroachments made upon His Majesty's Dominions;
He desired I would meet him at the office and bring with me
such Papers as might give Lights with Respect to these Points.

In Answer to the Letter I delivered into the Board the
Lords Commissioners present the 16"' of February, viz'

360 Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe.

A State of the number of men raised and of the Sums of
Money Granted to His Majesty and Issued since the i"' of
January 1755 Briefly Collected from the Acts and Proceedings
of the Legislature of the Province of Maryland, and other the
Most Authentick Vouchers yet come to hand.

I first set forth, In Pursuance of His Majesty's Commands
and to Assist the Colony of Virginia, an Act passed in 1754
for ^6.000 towards the Defence of Virginia.

That at the first Session in 1755, 22'' February you had laid
before the Assembly a Letter you had received from Sir Tho'
Robinson, and at the same time by your Speech in the most
Earnest manner recommended to them to raise a large Sum as
the Circumstances of the Province would allow, and further
regulating the Hire of Waggons and Horses in Case the
Service should require them to Impress either in the Govern-
ment; and also to regulate by a Bill the Quarters of Soldiers.

That the 25''' of February — The House of Delegates by their
Address to you promised to Acquit themselves (the Circum-
stances of time and the People Considered) as not undeserving
His Majesty's Goodness &c.

That the 26''' of February .... The House of Delegates
Resolved to Grant ^10,000 for His Majesty's Service.

That the 28"" of February .... you answer'd their Address
and acquainted them That you had retained Sanguine hopes
that they would fall on such measures as would meet with
ready Concurrence of the other Branches of the Legislature.

That the i'' of March .... A Bill entitled an Act to raise
a further Supply towards His Majesty's Service was brought
in and read a first time and second, and sent to the Upper
House.

That the 10"' of March .... on your Message recommending
the same, The House ordered in a Bill to prevent the Exporta-
tion of Bread, Flower, Victuals and Warlike Stores for Cape
Briton Canada or any the French Garrisons.

That the same day — The Upper House return'd the Bill for
raising a Supply towards His Majesty's Service with their
Negative, as well with their Emission of a number of New Bills
tending to depreciate the Credit of their Paper Currency, as in
respect to the Appropriation of the Fines and Forfeitures
accruing from ordinary Lycences.

That the 1 1"' & 1 2'*' of March .... The Act for Regulating
the Rates of Carriages and Quartering Soldiers &c was read
a first and second time, and Sent to the Upper House.

That the 14''' of March .... The Delegates sent a Message
to the Upper House in answer to their objections to the Supply
Bill, and Insisting upon the Bill in its then form.

That the 15"" A Bill was brought in for preventing the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 361

People of the Province from Supplying the French or their
Indian Allies with Stores or Provisions of any kind, sent to the
Upper House, who return'd it with some Amendments.

That the 19"' The Upper House again return'd the Supply
Bill Insisting upon their former objections, and further that the
Clause to appropriate the Fines of ordinary Licences was an
Attempt which struck at the Lord Proprietor's Rights.

That the 20"' — The Upper House return'd the Bill for
Regulating the Rates of Carriages and Quartering Soldiers
&c. with Amendments, the next day agreed to by the Dele-
gates; who likewise agreed to the Bill for preventing the
Province from Supplying the French &c.

That the 21" The Delegates again sent a further Message
to the Upper House upon the Supply Bill, Insisting that the
Intended Emission would not Effect the Credit of the money
then Current; And that the Appropriation of the Fines
arising on the ordinary Licences was no Infringement of the
Lord Proprietor's Rights, But even had his Lordship a Right
to such Fines by Virtue of his Prerogative; The Upper House
ought not in that Critical Conjuncture to be against the intended
Application of them.

That the 24"^ — The Upper House return'd an Answer to the
last Message upon the Supply Bill, showing the Lord Pro-
prietor's Right under his Charter to the Fines from Licences,
and that this Right had been acknowledged by the Lower
House and Acquiesced in by the People near one Hundred
years ago; with Various Instances in which it had been Exer-
cised during that Period, and that his Right thereto devolved
by Inheritance under the Royal Charter to his Ancestors, and
was not in the least weaken'd by any of their Acts; However
they had no design to Enter into any Controversys upon that
point at that improper Season, when their Duty to the best of
Kings call'd loudly to imploy their time more to the Advantage
of the Common Cause against the Common Enemys. Assur-
ing the Lower House of their Hearty Concurrence with them
in any other unexceptionable measures of raising the Supply.

The same day .... The Lieut Governor sent a Message to
the Lower House Communicating to them a Letter he had
received from Gen' Braddock, and Expressing his Hopes that
it would Add some weight to Sir Tho' Robinson's Letter and
incline them to answer in some measure His Majesty's Expec-
tations, at least so far as to provide Victuals for such of His
Majesty's Forces as might at their Arrival befor a short time
Ouarter'd in or have occasion to March thro the Province ;
And further that they would not be averse to Continuing on
Foot those men that had been already raised in the Govern-
ment, and to granting a Sum of Money for that purpose, as

362 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

well as for defraying such Incidental Charges as would be
Occasion'd by Hiring or Impressing Horses or Carriages in
the Province to Convey the Soldiers Baggage, and by his
Appointment of Persons at proper Places to Carry any Dis-
patches between the General's Head Quarters and that Place,
or else where His Majesty's Service might require.

The 25''' In Answer to this Message, The Lower House in
an Address to the Lieut Governor Express'd a Concern at the
Negative put upon the Supply Bill by the Upper House, Con-
cluding with a request to the Lieut Governor to put a speedy
End to this Sessions.

The 26''' — The Lieut Governor sent a further Message to
the Lower House, again recommending it to them to Appro-
priate a Sum of Money to the uses mention'd in his former
Message and in Gen' Braddock's Letter ; as the same might
be raised without having Recourse to any of the proposed
means in their said Bill, and as they were Services of a Local
peculiar nature arising Entirely within that Government.

The same day. — The Lower House came to several Resolu-
tions Insisting that the Fines arising on ordinary Licences
were the undoubted Right of the Country and that the Lord
Proprietor had no Right thereto.

The same day .... They again address'd the Lieut Gov-
ernor refusing to make further Proposal than had been already
made, for replacing any moneys to be granted to provide for
the Requisitions made by the Letters of Sir Tho' Robinson
and Gen' Braddock and every other purpose relative to His
Majesty's Services on the then Exigency; And again Insisting
that the Appropriation of the ordinary Licences Fines (which
had at last appear'd to be the great Obstacle to their repeated
Generous Grants) was the undoubted Right of the Country,
That nothing ever would induce them to give up or do any
thing which might weaken that Right; and since the Upper
House by their Messages seemed determined not to depart
from what they look'd upon in that Particular as the Lord
Proprietor's Right, there was no room to Expect any thing
further to be done. And therefore they again requested the
Lieut Governor to put an End to the Sessions accordingly.

The same day .... The Lieut Governor with the Advice of
the Council Prorogued the Assembly to the i" of July then
next, after first Passing two Acts, the one for Regulating the
Rates of Carriages and Quartering Soldiers &c. and the
other to Prevent the People of the Province from Supplying
the French or their Indian Allies with Ammunition Warlike
Stores or Provisions of any kind.

The 22'' of May 1755 .... The Lieut Governor mentions in
his Letter to the Secretary of the Province, That a Company

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 363

of Sixty men was raised in Maryland to March witli Gen
Braddock.

The lo'^'of lune 1755 .... And in a second Letter mentions
that he had ordered the officers of the Mihtia to Muster and
Discipline the men under their Command.

Second Sessions.

The 23'^ of June 1755 .... The Assembly again mett, being
call'd together before their time by the Lieut Governor upon
Receipt of a Letter from Gen' Braddock, which he laid before
them with an earnest Request to let the Reasons therein
offered have their due weight and determine them to grant
such Supplys as the then Situation of Affairs required in Con-
junction with the Neighbouring Colonies as a Barrier against
any further Encroachments to be Garrisoned with Provincial
Troops; and intreating them whatever Supplys they might
agree, to Grant them such Dispatch as might render them
Effectual.

The 24''' of June .... The Upper House in their Address
assured the Lieut Governor, that as Gen' Braddock's requi-
sition appear'd to them Highly reasonable and Necessary for
the Common Safety; they should be ready to concur in all
proper Measures for that Purpose.

The same day . . . The Lower House in their Address promised
the Lieut Governor to take the Subject matter in his Speech
under their immediate and most attentive Consideration,
Flattering themselves that their Speedy Resolution thereupon
would fully demonstrate their readiness to Embrace the Oppor-
tunity which then presented it Self of manifesting their un-
shaken Loyalty to the best of King's, and at the same time a
steady adherence to the true Literest and Priviledges of their
Constituents.

The 25"" of June .... The Lower House Resolved that
^5000 should be raised for His Majesty's Service, and that the
Money Arising on ordinary Licences should be one of the
ways for replacing the same.

The 26"' of June .... The Committee Proposed that out of
the Sum of ^3829.. 2.. 113^ then remaining in the Office for
Emitting Bills of Credit, together with any other Sums that
should be next brought into that office, there should be paid
^5,000 for His Majesty's Service in such manner as should be
needfull, And that for replacing the same the several Impo-
sitions therein mention'd amounting together to _;^i788. -p ann
should be laid and continued ; amongst which the Fines on
ordinary Licences were then computed to amount to ^644. p
ann. with which Report the House Concurr'd, and immediately

364 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

ordered the same Committee to bring in a Bill for raising
_^5000 Currency for His Majesty's Service.

The 27"' of June .... The House ordered in a further Bill
for Continuing to prevent the Supply to the French &c.

The 29"" of June .... A Bill v^'as brought in for granting a
further Supply towards His Majesty's Service, read a first and
second time, and sent to the Upper House.

The same day .... The Lieut Governor sent a Message to
the Lower House acquainting them with Advices received
from Col Innes at Fort Cumberland, of the Loss of some of
the back Inhabitants of Frederick County Killed or Carried off
by the French Indians; and recommending it as highly proper
to them, about one hundred or at least a Company of Sixty
men to be Posted or Constantly ranging for some time on the
Frontiers for their Protection ; and that the Assembly would
enable him to Support such a Number, and at the same time
acquainting them that he had at the Generals request Engaged
several Persons to receive and Convey any Letters between
that Place and Wills's Creek directed to the General or him-
self; And desiring them to Provide for the Expences thereof.

The same day .... The House Resolved to make Suitable
Provision for raising and paying Eighty men including officers
for Ranging for four months (if occasion) on the Frontiers of
the Province against the French or their Indian Allies, and
that they would defray the reasonable Expence of Intelligence
from Wills's Creek to Annapolis and back thither for four
months ; and they at the same time appointed a Committee to
Enquire into ways and means for raising a Sum Sufficient for
the said Purposes : And the said Committee on the 30"' of
the same month by their Report proposed that the Sum of
^1500 part of ^4.016.. 6.. o Bills of Credit then remaining
Signed in the Currency office and not Circulated, should be
immediately Issued for defraying the said Expences; and a
Bill was ordered accordingly.

The r' of July .... The Upper House return'd the Bill for
raising the ;^50oo with their Negative In regard the amount
of the Dutys for replacing the same appeared to them to be
very precarious, and there was no Provision in the Bill for
Supplying the Deficiency; and for, that part of the Duty was
on the Moneys arising on ordinary Licences the appropriation
of which was a disputable matter ; but intreating the Assembly
when the Call for a Supply towards the Support of His
Majesty's Rights and their own Safety was so very Pressing, to
fall on some Expedient to render the Bill more perfect.

The 2'^ of luly .... The Lower House Resolved on a Mes-
sage to be sent to the Upper House for Enforcing the Supply
Bill.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 365

The same day .... A Bill was brought in for securing the
Western Frontiers against the French &c. and also for paying
Couriers from Wills's Creek to Annapolis &c. sent to the
Upper House.

The 3"* of July .... They Resolved a Duty of one penny p
Gallon on Molasses and one shilling -p Hundred on Muscavado
Sugar Imported, to be apply 'd towards replacing the ^^5000 to
be raised by the Supply Bill.

The same day .... The Upper House return'd the Bill for
securing the Western Frontiers against the French &c. with
their Negative, as the Execution of the Bill appeared to them
Impracticable for the Purposes intended by it.

The 4'"' of July .... In pursuance of a Message from the
Lieut Governor, the Lower House brought in a Bill to prevent
any kind of Supply to the French &c. sent the same to the
Upper House who agreed to the same.

The s'*" of July .... The Bill for Granting a further Supply
towards His Majesty's Service was read a first and second
time, sent to the Upper House with the Additional Clauses
and a Message sent. Insisting that the Dutys mention'd in the
first Bill were more than sufficient for replacing the ^5000,
and that the money on Licences was thereby clearly appro-
priated.

The same day .... They likewise sent back to the Upper
House the Bill for securing the Western Frontier &c. alledging
the Execution thereof practicable and pressing them to pass
the same ; which the Upper House the same day refused, as
being Irregular after their Negative.

The same day .... The Lieut Governor by Message ac-
quainted the Lower House with fresh advices received, of
fifteen more white Inhabitants being kill'd by the French
Indians in Frederick County. — In answer they Express their
concern by a Message of the same day, at the melanchoUy Fate
of their Countrymen, together with their Hopes that the Bill
then Depending before the Upper House would (if concurr'd
to) have the desired Effect of Securing their Frontiers.

The 7'*" of July .... The Lieut Governor sent a Message to
the Lower House by which (after acquainting them that it had
been intimated to him by some of the Gendemen of the Upper
House that they had return'd the Bill for securing the Western
Frontier &c. by reason they judged the Allowance of Money
and time therein mention'd would not sufficiently answer the
Purposes for which they Conceived it was designed) He
intreated them to Lose no dme, but as they regarded the
Lives of their fellow Subjects and Consdtuents who remain'd
exposed to the repeated Cruekies of Barbarous Savages for
want of their taking some measures for their Protection ;

366 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

That they would without delay Re-Consider the Bill and
Amend it in such a manner that it might better answer the
End for which it was Calculated.

The same day .... The Delegates upon Consideration of
this Message refused to Re-Consider the former Bill or to per-
mit a new Bill to be brought in for the like Purposes, tho
Proposed with some small variation in the Title ; and on the
same day, (after ordering the two Bills the one for Raising the
Supply and the other for Securing the Western Frontier to be
incerted in their Journals and Printed) Address'd the Lieut
Governor to dismiss them.

The same day .... After delivering of this Address, The
Lieut Governor sent a further Message to the Lower House
acquainting them ; that he had just received Advice from the
Northern Governments that the French Fleet from Brest with
Four thousand Land Forces were arrived in the Harbour
of Lewisburgh and that he was also informed that no Couriers
had arrived at Fort Cumberland for some days from Gen'
Braddock whence there was reason to apprehend that the
Enemy were between the two Camps and had cutt off the
Communication; And that he was unwilling to Comply with the
request they had just then made him before he had Communi-
cated to them this Intelligence, and Desired them once more
to take the unhappy Condidon of their Country and the Back
Inhabitants under their Considerations, and to make some
Provision for their Safety and Protection.

The S'*" of July .... The Lieut Governor sent them a Letter
from Gov' Shirley SolHciting them to lay an Embargo on all
Vessels laden with Provisions for three months, and recom-
mending it to them to come into the same Resolution. Upon
which Message they immediately ordered in a Bill accordingly,
which they Passed and sent the same to the Upper House ;
who next day return'd it with an Amendment appropriating
one third of the Penalties or Forfeitures to the use of the Lord
Proprietor, upon which the Lower House (who had appropri-
ated one Moiety to the Informer and the other Moiety to the
Publick in Exclusion of the Lord Proprietor), Rejected the Bill.

The same day .... They again Address'd the Lieut Gov-
ernor to put a Speedy End to the Session.

Accordingly

The same day .... The Lieut Governor in the presence of
both Houses of Assembly gave the usual Assent to the Bill
first proposed. An Act to prevent the Exportation or Carrying
out of this Province Ammunition Warlike Stores or Provisions
of any kind to Supply the French or their Allies ; which the
Lower House had by their Message of the same day acquainted
him they apprehended to be sufficient to answer the Purposes

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 367

proposed by the Bill brought in the same day and which had
Miscarried on occasion of the Amendment to the Use of the
Lord Proprietor.

And then the Lieut Governor in compliance with their
repeated request (after acquainting them in a short Speech
that he found the Business for which they were Convened
must be left undone) Prorogued them with the Advice of the
Council to the first of January then next.

The 9"" of July . . . . The Lieut Governor by Letter acquainted
the Lord Proprietor with his having Prorogued the Assembly
and that as no other hopes then remained, he was about to Set
off for Frederick County to try what could be done with the
Militia of that County, whose officers were ordered to meet,
and that he intended to have Eighty men furnish'd from their
several Companys by Lot or otherwise which he should form
into one Company of Rangers and Impress Victuals according
to the Direction of the Militia Act for their Subsistance, 'till the
Barbarians should decline to infest their Borders.

The 23'' of July .... The Lieut Governor sent an Account
received from Capt" Orme of the Unhappy Defeat of Gen'
Braddock, and writes that when he received that Account, he
was on his way to Fort Cumberland with a number of Gende-
men and Voluntiers who had Entered into an Association to
bear Arms and Protect their Frontiers. That he should now
Halt at Frederick Town and if he found the Troops were well
Supplyed, should Expend part of a Sum (which the Council
and Gendemen of the Assembly of the Country had Subscribed
upon the Assembly's Refusal at their last Meeting to Grant any
Supplies) in Purchasing a Quantity of fresh Provisions and
such things as he should think necessary for the Troops; And
Escort them with such men as he could perswade to join him
to Fort Cumberland, where he expected to find Col Dunbar by
that time arrived. That he should then Learn what he pro-
posed to do, and if he should Resolve to make another
Attempt before he could receive Listructions from home, He
(the Lieut Governor) should perhaps be under a Necessity of
meeting the Assembly again and Solliciting them to send
them a Re-inforcement and a Quantity of Provisions and
Ammunidon. That the Subscription which had been made
would at least Enable him to keep up a Company of Rangers
for the Protecdon of the Frontiers.

The 1 1'*' of August .... The Lieut Governor writes to the
Lord Proprietor as follows ....

In my Letter dated the 23'' of July I Gave your Lordship an
Account of Gen' Braddock's misfortune near the Banks of
Monongahala and acquainted your Lordship that I was then
proceeding towards Wills's Creek Principally with a View of

368 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Encouraging the Distant Inhabitants to remain in their Planta-
tions, which the Terror of tlae Indians Incursions and the
Alarming news of the General's 111 Success Inclined them to
relinquish and Desert; Those that I mett flying from the
Frontiers I prevailed upon to return back, and by ordering
some small Forts to be built at proper distances from each
other in the Western part of Frederick County whereunto the
People may resort in Case of Alarms ; I hope I have made
and left them pretty well Satisfyed and Contented, Each of
those Forts I have Garrisoned with a few men who have my
orders to Patroll from one to the other, and keep a Communi-
cation Free and open ; These men I am Enabled to Support
by a Subscription that has been made by the Gentlemen of this
and some of the other Counties, and from the same Fund I
Subsist the Maryland Company by Capt" Dagworthy that
march'd with the General ; But which is now left with the Vir-
ginia and North Carolina Troops at Fort Cumberland under
the Command of Governor Innes.

And in this Letter he mentions Gov' Morris's having Con-
vened the Assembly of Pensilvania in hopes to raise money for
His Majesty's Service, And that if they prepared such a Bill as
would be agreeable to their Governor ; he should also meet the
Assembly of Maryland upon the same occasion in hopes they
might (notwithstanding their late Resolves) be perswaded to
waive the Points contended for.

In another Letter of the same date he mentions Forts which
he had ordered to be built, one on Tonallaway and three under
the North Mountain.

The 9"" of September 1755 .... Immediately upon Advice
received of Gen' Braddock's Defeat, The Lord Proprietor (in
Complyance with the Resolves of the Assembly who had so
often refused to Grant any money for His Majesty's Service
without an Appropriation of His Lordship's Fines arising from
Ordinary Licences to which he had an indisputable Right under
his Charter Exercised for many years by his Ancestors and
never relinquish'd) did by a Special Instruction Issued on that
occasion, Authorize his Lieutenant Governor to pass an Act of
Assembly in Aid of Money Loan, by which for the better Sup-
port and Defence of the Common Cause against the Enemy,
His Lordship gave up His Right not only to the Ordinary
Licences which alone had been estimated by the Lower House
at ;^640 "p Ann (and are in reality of near double that Value)
But also of Hawkers & Pedlars & the Money arising by such
Licences with the ffines & fforfeitures to be Appropriated for
a time to the Comon Cause. Giving with pleasure his Interest
in Both to & for the service of His Majesty & the defence &
Safety of the Province.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 369

It is to be hoped this Self-denying & seasonable Instruction
of the L"^ Proprietors has Effectually removed all Misunder-
standing be' the Different Branches of the Legislature of the
Province, & that his Lordp by complying with every Encroachm'
& Demand by the Lo: House has Conciliated their minds &
bro' them into a proper temper & disposition to Concur in every
Necessary measure for the support & Promoting the Comon
Cause, and that the Good Effect will soon appear in a perfect
unanimity between both Houses.

These are the Chief contents of what I delivered to the
Lords Comiss" for Trade & Plantations, Being Extracts from
the Maryland lournals of Both Houses of Assembly & from y'
Letters. From the materials thereof, I endeavour'd on the
contents of M"' Pownel's Let' by setting forth all Persons &
things concern'd in the Clearest Light to Answer their Lord?'
Requisitions to Me. With Observation to the Board that their
call being sudden & the time allowed short, I therefore hoped
their Lord^" Goodness in Excusing the incorrectness of what I
delivered to them, being not properly prepared from the L'
Gov'' of the several Transactions & expences the People of the
Province of Maryland had done for His Majesty's service.
However apprehend^ such a call from their Lord^' might be, I
had write to you desiring a particular Acco' of all such trans-
actions on the recival of w*' I wo** lay the same before their
LordP^

The Agents for America were present. The Earl of Hallifax
the r' Cofniss' spoke to this Effect "That the Lords Comiss'^
were not Surprised at the inaccuracy of the several Estimates
delivered, the time given being too short to expect exactness,
& said he desired he wo'' take him right as not Entring upon
what each Province had expended for his Majesty's service.
But that the Reason of our present summons to the Board was
to Inform us of his Majesty's Intention & Gracious Benevolence
to give a Large sum of Money to be applyed to the Releif &
defence of his several Colonies & Dominions in America & of
w"" his LordP could not then particularly Specify what wo*^ be
each Colony's share. But that would be soon known. And
Remark'd the Bounty was not to be Considered as a recom-
pence in paym' for Expences Each had been at for his Majesty's
service. Thus Concluded our Summons before the Board.
I send this acco' for y' Satisfaction as you are a Chief concern'd.
I Learn from y' Brother lohn that the Proprietor & y' Conduct
is approved of, & that they regarded the extract of Acco'
I delivered fairly deduced from the Provincial proceedings &c.

Feb' the s** From a Motion by S' Geo: Lytelton the Comon's
agreed to the report that 95000^ be grant'd to the Plantations
in North America That part 5000_^ be Granted to S' W"'

37© Correspojidence of Governor Sharpe.

Johnson Bar' for His faithfull service there. Its with concern
I acquaint you Virginia, Maryland & Pensilvania & the two
Carolina Colonies are s'^ excluded the Benefit. My Lord has
done all he can to Obtain Fire Amies from the Money Granted,
But to no purpose. Y" lohn says, the Construction had &
held of them Province is, they have fail'd of that just regard &
not complying to His Majesty's Requisitions — Comunicat'd to
them by His Majesty's Sec'' of State, therefore the Legislature
here think them at present not of Notice to His Majesty.

The 15"^ ibid. The Comons in a Comittee on the Bill re-
lating to fforeign Protestant Officers to go to America after
a long Debate it pass'd in the Affirmative 215 ag' 63 the 25"'
ibid they agree'd to the Report of the Bill 158 ag' 58.

The Intention of the Bill as I am Inform'd, is a matter of
great importance, its consequence tends intierly to the safety
of His Majesty's Subjects & Dominion in America. The
Scheme proposed is His Majestys appointm' for a Regiment
consisting of four Battallions of a 1000 Men in each Battallion
to be raised of His Majesty's fforeign & other Protestant Sub-
ject in North America that of Comiss'' Officers a certain
Number be given to the Born & Resident Subjects in America.

The Earl of Loudon is by His Majesty appoint'd Comand"'
in Chief of the fforces in America under him Major Gen'
Abercrombe. His Lord^' departure is soon. The Lord Pro-
prietor does earnestly recom"* to you & that you will exert
Y Self & Incite the Legislature Power also all Magistrates
Civil & Military & all Persons in the Province that they may
& do conform themselves with real Duty to his Lord^' required
by His Majesty, Especially ag" the Enemy the invaders of His
Majesty's Crown & Dignity. The Earls Character is of real
Abbilities, all allow great Qualifications in him & of an affable
disposition. My Lord desires you'l cultivate a good Under-
standing with him & renders him all service Possible, either on
his arrival into the Province or occasioned by His Comand^
Lef or Message, requiring of you & the Province the Neces-
sary Requisitons for His Majesty's service. And as it will be
Necessary the Better for Inlisting the Born Subjects as well as
the Germans Settlers for composing the four Battallions to be
raised. His LordP being sensible of the great Advantage that
must accrue by such a fforce. He requests, & doubts not y"'
best Endeavours to conciliate the Minds of the People of his
Province thereto, & that they will with affection Duty &
Allegiance acquit themselves in Duty & real Conscience
Bound in Defence of His Majesty & the Country ag' all In-
vaders of the King's Crown & Dignity.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 371

[Extract of letter of Calvert to Sharpe.]

M' Lloyd has sent three Books as Rent Rolls of Ann
Arundel Coty Charles County & Calvert County for the year
1753 certified from the Land Office but no way answering to
the Form sent M' Tasker by me & enforced by a special In-
struction from the Lord Proprietor's Guardians in May 1752
which Form was intended to satisfy the Lord Proprietor of the
particulars of his several Landed Incomes in Maryland & the
several Tenures they are held under, whether in fee or on
Leases for Lives & for what Lives or for Terms & for what
Terms of years so respectively held, to which M' Lloyd has
been referred to each of these Books after the Certificate of
them from the Land Office being signed a Memorandum is
inserted of Rents of Lands paid for but could not find them
because the Original Takers up were not known. This ought
therefore to be particularly enquired into that the present
possessors who pay for them may shew by what Title they
hold them which will make the Original Takers of them up to
be found in the Land Office as no Lands can be legally held
but by Grants from that Office this I have noted to M' Lloyd
as also other Observations arising which want Explanation.

I herewith send you Instructions from My Lord with a Copy
thereto annexed of the Form sent in May 1752 for stating His
Lordship's Landed Revenues by, in order to have proper Re-
turns perfected agreeable to His Lordship's Expectation. In
which Instructions you are to require not only the Officer or
Officers of the Land Office but also the Rent-Roll Keepers
who are paid for being Controlls on the Collectors to examine
& sign the several Rolls, & to be so signed in your presence
that the Seal of the Province may be affixed thereto in testi-
mony of such their Signatures before you. These Rent Rolls
when once compleated & return'd the Additions or Altera-
tions in them which may happen in subsequent years will be
only necessary to be annually made appear under the like
Authenticity for proving the Rectitude of the Agent & Re-
ceiver General's Yearly Accompts to be transmitted. As the
Rent Rolls of the Western Shore may be forthwith made out
as required to give my Lord the Satisfaction he has so long
expected. Let them be immediately proceeded upon by the
proper Directions to be given by you under My Lord's
Authority for that purpose; & in their Progress let them be
brought before you to see that they are in a right Method to
give My Lord the knowledge of his several Reserved Rents
& how they have arisen & do arise & are held. And the Rent-
Rolls of the Eastern Shore you are to direct to be made out in
like manner with all possible Dispatch under your Inspection
for the Rectitude of their method in making them out to

372 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

answer My Lord's Expectation, the beforementioned three
Rentals consist only of Estates in fee held in the said Counties
& they not specifying the different Rates of the Annual Rents
the several quantities of Acres are respectively held at to prove
the Rents in Charge to be rightly computed; nor the proper
References from whence they are taken out of the Records of
the Land Office for procuring the Numbers of Acres granted
& the Rates of Annual Rents reserved on each Grant to be
the same as in Charge ; are the Deficiencies to be rectified in
these three Rent Rolls as well as the other Observation sent
to M' Lloyd which have arisen thereon.

From M' Lloyd is lately received ^3181. o. 3 to My Lord's
Account & a Sketch of his Account for 1754 but with the said
Sketch he has neither sent the Land Office, Naval Officers nor
any other Accounts or Vouchers to support & prove it — tis a
peculiar Conduct; all Agents having annually transmitted
compleat Accompts to the 29''' of Sepf his Delay is not only in
this respect therefore can't be submitted to much longer,
His Lordship hearing it with uneasiness & in Defiance of
Duty to his Affairs essential; he thereupon recommends to
your serious Consideration concerning M' Lloyd's Deficiency,
& that you'll in Case he questions his Duty to accept of his
Resignation & appoint another more for the purpose to the
carrying on his Affairs so important, as particularly the Requisi-
tions thereof do relate to his Honour & Support of Life — M'
Lloyd seems by the Tenor of his Lef full of lealousie he says
" he wishes that all Offices that of necessity in Virtue of
my Post I must have the Inspection into the Offices therein,
I hope may be so far approved by me as to have my recom''"
otherwise Sir a Man greatly opposite to me in sentiments if
not otherwise unfit may be appointed by w*" means you can
supose His Lord^' affairs would be but 111 Conducted." His
LordP doubts not y"^ Circumspection & Counteance to him &
of future Agents concern'd in his Revenues with regard to
their recom''"' that you'l consent & accept thereof so far as is
consistent with good Policy & Circumstance of Affairs. M""
Lloyds Drift is, to get M' Charles Goldsbrough into Place
(of w*" he mentions his offer to you) My Lord will not admit
him, unless by recom''" from you. I have hinted him so, & that
it is out of my Power to Medle it being with My Lord & you.
And I shall do so on all such request to me, a Caution due to
y' Rank & scitituation in the Province. And to that Effect I
have now write to M' Dulany to address you as the way
to advance with favour with My Lord.

I have been in hopes thro y' Brothers lohn & W"= Interests
you wo** have rec'' His Majesty's Comiss" as Col: of one of the
new Battallions to be raised in America (tis due to y' Service)
not any thing has been wanting in me to render you such

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 373

service, & since its not obtained, I Iiave told y' Brother Will"
that I hoped, he & lohn wo'' get you the Establishm' of half
pay in consequence of y' last Comiss" from His Majesty as
L' Col: & Commd"' in Chief of the fforces in America.

My Lord having rec'' a Let' from M' Hugh Jones Bohemia
Maryland Nov' aS'"" 1755. wherein he speaks of himself with
much Merit on Acco' of services done the late Lord & the
present, in the Disputes between Maryland & Pensilvania &
further observes, that he imagines the south Branch of Poto-
mack extends much the furthest to the westw'' w'' he says he
thinks is now generally allow'd, tho' L'' Fairfax has laid
down his western Boundary by a Line from the south Branch
of Rappahenock to the north Branch of Potomack w*" he
observes deprives L'' Baltimore of a vast quantity of Land
evidently within His Charter, with' any advantage to Lord
Fairfax, for he wo'^ include as much if not more Lands by
running to the southern Branch as he does by running to the
northern. My Lord desires you'l inquire into these matters
with respect to the North & south Branches of Potomack
River, how the Courses of the River runs to his Advantage or
Disadvantage, And if to his Advantage with' Loss to Lord
Fairfax, you will endeavour & ajust the same w'*' Lord Fairfax ;
And under this Head the Colony of Virginia must be included
in such Adjustm' of these matters, you will by the earliest
Opportunity acquaint My Lord by Let' from y' self. M' lones
desires a Compensation for his Trouble & Endeavours for the
Benefit of My Lord, w'' he has been at & has been by him trans-
mitted he requests of His Lord'' for his son in Law M' Simon
Willmer of Kent to be sheriff of that County, the next vacancy
in 1756 & says he dare engage for his Qualifications & due
Discharge of that Ofifice, of w*" Request His Lord? Leaves to
y' Consideration, as now the Sheriffs are to be the Receivers
of His Quit-Rents ; if you think M' Jones's Request consistent
with His Lord*" Affairs you will admit thereof.

War or Peace seems still as uncertain as ever, all Regiments
here are almost completed. The same is said of the great
Levies in France, from whence England is threaten'd with an
Invasion. Notwithstand^ the most refined Politicians still ven-
ture to assert there will be no War, the Truth of w'' this summer
must discover. The Treaty lately concluded between His
Majesty & the King of Prussia, whereby the latter has engag'd
to Guarantee the Electorate of Hanover against fforeign Troops
&c. seems to have sett France at a Loss what Turn to take.

May All Health and Happyness attend you and the Province
of Maryland is the sincere wish of him who is with peculiar
Esteem,

Dear Sir

Your Sincere Humble Servant

Caeci? Calvert.

374 Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe.

Pos' I have heard nothing of M' Stuart whom you put into
My Office untill my Deputy was appoint'd whom by this time
I reckon has enter'd the Office. It is with concern my giving
you trouble in desiring you to inquire & inspect into M'
Stuarts doing me Justice, I can rely on none else of being
adjust'd in paym The Rev*^ M" Meyer's Father inquires
greatly after his son, he says he has not heard from him, w"*
gives him much uneasyness, it is of consequence to the
Minister himself Apperhending you see him, I desire you will
apprize him of this, for his giving his Father satisfaction soon.

[Fox to Sharpe.]

No. I. Whitehall 13"' March 1756.

Sir,

The Earl of Loudoun whom the King has appointed Com-
mander in Chief of all His Forces, whatsoever, in North
America, being preparing to set out with all possible Expe-
dition, together with two Regiments of ffoot, a Train of
Artillery, and a sufficient Quantity of Warlike Stores, which
His Majesty has been pleased to order for the Publick Service,
in those Parts, I am commanded to signify to you the King's
Pleasure, that you should be ready to give His Lordship, and
the Troops from England, all the Assistance in your Power, on
their Arrival in America, agreable to the orders sent you in
Sir Thomas Robinson's Letter of October 26"" 1754, and you
will correspond with, and apply to the Earl of Loudoun, on all
Occasions, in the same manner as you were directed to do with
the late General Braddock, and Major General Shirley.

It being of great Importance to the King's Service, that all
possible Facilities should be granted for the Encouragement
of such Persons, as may be inclined to enlist in the King's
Troops, It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you should particu-
larly recommend it to your Assembly to make Provision out
of such Funds as already exist, or may hereafter be raised for
the King's Service, for repaying the Masters of such Indented
Servants, as shall engage in His Majesty's Service, the money
paid by the said Masters upon the original Contract, in pro-
portion to the time, such Indented Servants have to serve; and
you will at all times discourage the harbouring, concealing or
assisting such, as shall desert the Service, and also use all
means for discovering and apprehending such Deserters; you
will likewise use your best Endeavours to prevail on your
Assembly to appropriate such part of the Funds now raised;
or which shall be raised for the Publick Service, to be issued
and applied to the General Service, in such manner as the
Commander in Chief shall direct.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 375

The King would have you recommend it in the strongest
manner to your Council and Assembly, to pass effectual Laws
for prohibiting all Trade and Commerce with the French, and
for preventing the Exportation of Provisions of all kinds to any
of their Islands or Colonies.

I am
Sir

Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
HFox
Deputy Governor of Maryland.

[Fox to Sharpe.]

No. 2. Whitehall March 13'" 1756.

Sir _

I have acquainted you in my other Letter, of this Date, with
the Kings having appointed the Earl of Loudoun to be com-
mander in chief of all His Majesty's Forces in North America,
but as it will be some Time, before His Lordship or Major
General Abercrombie who is to be the next in Command to
Him, can set out from hence, the King has directed Colonel
Webb (who will forward this Letter to you) to embark imme-
diately for North America, and to take upon him the Command
of the Forces, there till the Arrival of Lord Loudoun or Major
General Abercrombie ; You will therefore correspond with
Colonel Webb, & give him all necessary Lights & Assistances,
in the same manner you were directed to do, to the late
General Braddock.

It having been represented that a considerable Number of
Foreign Setders in America might be more willing to enter
into the King's Service if they were commanded by officers of
their own Country, an Act of Parliament has been passed, of
which I send you inclosed a printed Copy, Enabling his Majesty
to grant Commissions to a certain Number of German Swiss,
& Dutch Protestants who have served as Officers or Engineers,
& as they have already Engaged they will embark with all
Expedition in order to assist in raising and commanding such
of the Foreign Protestants in North America, as shall be able
and willing to serve with the rest of the Forces upon this occa-
sion ; And it is the King's Pleasure that you should give any
of the said Officers who may come into your Government, all
the Assistance, in your Power, in the Execution of this Service.
It being of the greatest Importance, that His Majesty should
be, in the present situation of Affairs, truly and exactly in-
formed of the real State of Defence of all His Colonies in

376 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

America, as well in Relation to the Ordnance and Stores of
War which are in each Colony respectively as to the Forts and
Fortifications & the Number of their Inhabitants, it is the
King's Pleasure, that you should prepare and transmit to the
Earl of Loudoun, or the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's
Forces for the Time being, an exact & particular account
thereof, with Respect to the Colony under your Government,
in which you are to express the present actual State & quantity
of the Canon, small Arms, Amunition and other Ordnance
and Military Stores, belonging to the said Colony, either in
the publick Magazines, or in the Possession of the Militia, or
other private Persons, together with the true State of all Places,
either already fortified or which you judge forthwith necessary
to be fortified with your opinion at large in what manner His
Majesty may farther contribute to the Security & Defence of
the said Colony & also as exact an Account as you can obtain
of what Number the Militia is composed, and how armed,
mustered & trained,

I am
Sir
Your most obedient
humble Servant
P. S. H Fox

Your Letter of Oct' 8"*
has been received

Deputy Governor of Maryland.

Original. [Morris to Sharpe.]

Sir,

I congratulate you on General Shirley's Nomination, and the
Vote of your Assembly which I hope they will carry into
execution & raise the Money time enough to answer the
Publick Purposes.

My Assembly have been sitting from the 3'* of Feb^but have
come to no Resolutions as to the part they will take in the
operations of the summer, and are now adjourned for a fort-
night, which in my mind, after such a delay amounts to a dec-
laration that they do not intend to do more than they have
already done ; but I may be mistaken.

We have in this Province no Cannon but what are mounted
upon a Battery near Philad" they are Iron of 18, 24, & 32
pound shot, and are the property of private Men.

The friendly Indians that Remain with us are very few and
they are so much affraid of being near the frontiers, where they
may be mistaken for Enemies that I have removed them to

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 377

Philad^ and intend to settle them upon the Mannor of Penns-
bury, which is situated on the River Delaware about twenty
Miles above Philad'' They have press'd me strongly to build
a Fort, at Shamokin, and promis'd to Collect all Their Friends
and settle there when such Fort is built, all I expect from
them is that they will not joyn the Indians against us ; but have
no hopes of Persuading them to take up the Hatchet against
the Delawares & Shawanese ; the Gen' Pollicy of the Northern
Indians being not to destroy one another.

By Letters from Albany I hear that the small Pox in Canada
has swept off two hundred Indians, and many Canadians,
that ten of the Oswego Garrison employed in cutting Wood
were carry'd off Prisoners, and that there was a Scarcity of
Provisions there, but I cannot think this last Article true.

The second Packet is not arrived, but has been long
expected. When she comes I shall not fail to forward your
Letters and write you any news I may receive by her. A Vessel
from Lisbon cast away on our Capes brings News from London
down to the middle of Jan^ when things were in just the same
state they had been for some time, the English Men of War
Continued to take the french Vessels and the French lay still,
whether they are determin'd to submit and comply with our
demands, or whether they are meditating some great Blow
against us must be left to time to discover, but if it be the
Latter I am fearfuU America will be the scene.

I am Sir with great Regard
Your Most obed'
Humble Serv'
Rob' H. Morris
New Castle
March 20. 1756
Gov' Sharpe

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.] Letter Bk. 11.

p. 182
Annapolis March 20"^ 1756.
S'

I embrace the Opportunity of a Vessel's going hence to
Hampton to acknowledge the Receipt of your Lett"" dated the
I 3''' Inst. & return you thanks for y' Promise to do every thing
in y' Power to contribute to the Success of any Expedition
that I might be enabled to undertake this Summer in pursuance
of General Shirley's Commission & Instructions. As I have
not yet heard that the Assembly of Pensilvania have granted
any Supplies towards carrying on any Expedition, I confess
my hopes are not very sanguine, & the less so, as I think our

378 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. II. Assembly also have been equally dilitory no Bill being yet
brought into the House & I have reason to fear that when one
shall make its Appearance twill be such as I am not at liberty
to accept. I do not learn that the second Packett is arrived at
N York if she should bring any news of Consequence I have
desired Gov' Morris to communicate it to me by an Express &
I shall take Care to forward it to y' Honour & should any
Vessel arrive in Virg^ & bring Lett'" for me from Europe or
News of Importance I shall think myself extremely obliged to
you for dispatching a special Messenger therewith to S' &c.

Original. [Robert Sterling to Sharpe.]

Kent County Goal March 21" 1756
Hon'' Sir

In Consequence of Fresh and positive Orders which I receiv'd
by an Express last Thursday, I have Inlisted Some Servants,
and am now in Confinement for it. My Orders are to apply
to your Excellency in Such a Case and hope you will fall on
some measures for my Enlargement, as the Service has already
Suffer'd by my Confinement.

I am with the greatest respect

Your Excellencies most devoted humble servant

Robert Sterling

Original. [Sharpe to Dorsey.]

The Governor's Compliments to Mr. Dorsey, & shall be
much obliged to him for his Opinion on and Answers to the
following Questions —

Whether' a Servant indented bona fide has a right to enlist
in His Majestys Service ?

Whether a Military Officer enlisting Such Servant knowing
or not knowing him to be such is in either and which Case
liable to an Action ?

Whether the Governor as Governor can discharge such
Action ?

Annapolis March 22, 1756

iginai. [Dorsey to Sharpe.]

Queries

as to the 1" I am of Opinion that a Master has a Property
in the Labour of his Indented Servant for the time he has con-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 379

tracted to Serve, and that he has no Right to enUst in his
Majestys Service without his Masters Consent, untill the
Expiration of his time of Servitude

as to the 2"^ I am of Opinion that a Recruiting Officer
who enlists a Mans indented Servant knowing him to be
such, is liable to the Action of the Master, and that he
Ought to recover Damages adequate to the injury he sustains
by the loss of his Servant, but if an Officer should enlist a
Servant not knowing him to be such I think no Action will lye
against him, unless he should detain the Servant from his
Master, after he is informed of his being a Servant, In which
case I think an Action would lye against him.

as to the 3'^ I am of Opinion that the Governor cannot dis-
charge any Civil Action commenced by a Man for the Recovery
of his Property, and such is an Action commenced by a Master
ag' an Officer for taking his Servant out of his Service

W. Dorsey
aa"" March 1756

[Sharpe to Morris.] Lei

22'' March.
S'

I am sorry to find by Your's from Newcastle that the Pensil-
vania Assembly have broke up with' granting any farther
Supplies, however I am not without hopes that at the End of p-
the fortnight for which they have adjourned they will meet
disposed & determined to do more than you seem to expect.
The framing a Bill in consequence of the Vote I before men-
tioned to you has employed our people near a month, it has
not yet made it's appearance but I am told that due Care has
been taken to insert many Clauses that will lay the Upper
House as well as myself under a necessity of refusing it. Gov-
ernor Dinwiddie seems I think to entertain but faint hopes of
succeeding better with the Virginians who are to meet next
Friday so that I despair of seeing any thing done by these
Southern Colonies this Summer or untill the Legislature of
G Britain shall take our Condition under Consideration & save
our respective Assemblies the Trouble of providing for their
own Safety I have writ to General Shirley to this purpose &
intimated to him that the Commission & Instructions he was
pleased to honour me with will but little contribute to the
Reduction of Fort Du Ouesne if there are no Troops for me to
take the Command of. No Money to raise & support any, No
Arms for them if they were raised & No Artillery, Ammunition
or Provisions. — Pray how did the Assembly behave on the
Receipt of the General's Lett' & Observations upon their

380 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. 11. Address respecting the Enlistment of Servants. Our people
are with Difficulty hindered from committing violence on such
Occasions. One of the Officers was two Days ago arrested
& taken into Custody for entertaining Servants; as soon as I
was advised thereof I ordered the Sheriff to let him have his
Liberty upon his giving his parole not to leave the Province
till the Sheriff should be indemnified for releasing him, &
having advised with the Council thereon I shall agreeable to
their Advice order the Attorney Gen' to defend the Young
Gent" who I am afraid has proceeded a litde farther than the
Gen' intended upon a Supposition that I should be able to
support him. I am much obliged to you for your promise to
forward any Letf^ that may come directed for me by the

Packett & am

S^~

LetlerBk. Ill

[Sharpe to Shirley.]

23'' March 1756. Annapolis
S'

I delay a Gent" who is passing thro this place towards Boston
to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the s'*" Inst by
Col" Washington who is just arrived here in his Way to Vir-
ginia. I have not time to answer particularly that part of your
Letter which relates to the Dispute between the Virginia Field
Officers & Capt Dagworthy. The Letter I writ to the latter
from New York on that Subject would I apprehend have pre-
vented^ any uneasiness between Colonel Washington & him
had the Colonel went to Fort Cumberland since that time,
however I conceive all possibility of Dispute must be now re-
moved by the Orders that I sent Capt Dagworthy some time
ago to leave that place & come down among the Frontier In-
habitants. Information was given me yesterday that one M'
Sterling a Lieutenant in his Majesty's 48''' Regiment was a
few Days since arrested in this Province on an Action for
Tresspass for entertaining Indented Servants, as soon as I
received such Information' I communicated it to the Council
who as it was a Civil Action for Damages, which I could not
as Governor discharge, advised me to recommend it to the
Young Gentl" to give Bail & then to order the Attorney Gen'
to defend before the ludges of Assize his Proceedings under
your Orders. Agreeable to this Advice I have writ to M''
Sterling to give Bail for his Appearance at the Court & to
send me a true State of his Case that I may lay it before the
Attorney Gen' & order him to prepare for making his Defence.
I presume M' Sterling has not neglected to advise you or his
Superiour Officer of his Situation & I shall be glad to know

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 381

what Steps you would choose to have taken in case Judgment Letter Bk.ni
should be given for the Plantiff. Inclosed is a Letter from
Governor Dinwiddle, he tells me that all the Field Pieces that
were in that Dominion Your Excellency has ordered to New
York, that he has but very few small Arms not sufficient for
the Virginia Troops, that the Officers of Col° Washington's
Regiment have not yet been able to raise 600 Men & that he
is much afraid his Assembly which is to meet about this time
will not grant such Supplies as your Excellency expects, or
even as will be required for making a Diversion to the West-
ward. The Assembly of Pensilvania has I hear broke up with-
out doing any thing & I begin to despair of any Success with
ours which has been now sitting more than a Month without
any Supply Bill's making it's Appearance ; At this time they
are employing themselves in preparing a Remonstrance
against the Proceedings of the military Officers in Enlisting
their Servants upon which Subject I expect to be addressed
& shall be glad if their Resentment does not lead them to
insert such Clauses in the Supply Bill that is framing as will
lay the Upper House or myself under a necessity of refusing
it. Governor Dinwiddle says he has reason to expect the
Commissioners that are gone to the Cherokee & Catawba
Nations will engage a very considerable Body of those Indians
to be at Fort Cumberland this Spring to act in Conjunction
with such English Forces as should be raised in these Colonies
for an Expedition to the Westward. He says you mentioned
that these People were to be allowed British pay but as you
did not tell him how or from what Fund they were to be paid
he desires me to ask that question ; I presume Your Excellency
expects that these Colonies would take that Expence on them-
selves, but as Governor Dinwiddle desires your answer on that
Article I shall be glad to be favoured therewith, & also to know
if your Excellency could furnish us with any number of small
Arms, in case Troops should be raised here, for I beleive we
have not more than 300 or 400 Stand at most in this province.
I am &c —

rSharpe to Baltimore.! Letter Bk.i.

'- '^ -^ p. 1S8

Dated the 27'*^ March
My Lord

Upon the Receipt of your Lordships Instructions dated the
22'' of August & Colo. Taskers Acceptance of M' Calvert's
Deputation to him as Secretary I appointed M' Bordley to
succeed M' Tasker as Naval Officer of this Port & M' Darnall
as your Ldp's Attorney Gen' At the same time I communi-
cated to M' Darnal the part of Your Ldp's Instructions that

382 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Bk. I. related to him, in answer to which I received the inclosed Lett
I gave CoI° Lloyd in writing a Power & Order to dismiss M'
Edw"^ Tilghman from your Ldp's Service as soon as he had
setled Accounts with him, & taken out of his hands all Books
& papers that relate to your Ldp's Rents of which M' Tilgh-
man had the possession. When Colonel Lloyd advises me of
M' Tilghman's Dismissal I shall unless I can be first honoured
with your Ldp's further Instructions thereon appoint either M'
W"" Goldsborough or Col° Henry to keep the Eastern Shore
Rent Roll, Col° Lloyd having absolutely refused to accept it in

p- 189 lieu of that for the Western Shore, & as M' Darnal will accept
neither but chooses to hold the Naval Office of Potuxent I
could not bestow any such Post on M' Thomas as your Ldp
directed in those Instructions & as M'' Tasker does not choose
to have a Copartner in the Comissary's Office I cannot make
M' Thomas Joint Commissary as I thought I might agreeable
to your Ldp's Instructions of the 9"' Sepf Your Ldp was also
pleased to order me to appoint M' Young to the Naval Office
of Pocomoke, to be Surveyor Gen of the Eastern Shore & a
Member of your Ldp's Council : in making him Naval Officer
of Pocomoke & Surveyor Gen' of the Eastern Shore I had
anticipated y' Ldp's Commands & had moreover given him
the Nomination to the Sheveralty of Calvert County whence
he receives ^50 St^ a year. Out of my own Desire to serve
]VP Young who is become related to your Ldp as well as
in Obedience to your Ldp's Instructions, on his saying that he
would rather have one lucrative Employment than his present
Offices I assured him that in any thing consistent with your
Ldp's Interest He should find me most ready to gratify his
hopes & Expectations. He thereupon told me that if the
Clerkship of Kent County should become vacant & I would
order the D Secretary to appoint him thereto he should think
himself well provided for. I answered that I should be glad to
have it in my power to give him a Clerkship & would make
his Request known to M' Calvert, but observed to him that if
he was to accept such a place he would be in some sort
disqualified to be of your Ldp's Council as there seemed to be
an Impropriety in a Gentleman's being such a Ministerial

p. 190 Officer as a County Clerk is & at the same time being a
Member of a superiour Branch of the Legislature ; to w'^''
Honour or Dignity I indeed advised him for the present to
wave his Pretensions & told him that by doing so he would in
my Opinion seem to consult your Ldp's Interest; Upon a
Consciousness that the superiour Qualifications of the Gent"
whose Names I have taken the Liberty to mention to your Ldp
might in the present Situation of Affairs & State of the Council
be more serviceable than he could hope to be he seemed to

Correspondence of Governor Skarpe. 383

acquiesce & said he would consider on what had been the Letter
Subject & purport of our Conversation. As he is lately
removed hither I have since had an Opportunity of conversing
on this Subject with M" Young who does not seem much
inclined to consent to her Husband's waving his Right to a
Seat at the Council, tho as She is desirous of his having
a lucritive Employment as well as Honour she joins with him
in asking a good Clerkship but as none may possibly become
vacant for some time she hopes your Ldp will not be averse to
appointing him in the interim Keeper of the Western Shore
Rent-Roll as that being already perfect may be properly kept
without any great Difficulty or Skill. Your Ldp will do therein
as you may judge best, but if the Naval Office of Potuxent was
vacant I think that would be more desirable than either the
Rent Roll or a Clerkship & would not disqualify him for being
Councillor if your Ldp should choose to distinguish him by
that Title. Inclosed I send your Ldp a Copy of my Speech to
the Assembly at the Opening of this Session with the Addresses
of both Houses in Answer : the Burgesses have voted ^40000
for His Majesty's Service, & their Committee have been ever
since framing a Bill in consequence of such Vote, so we have
been now met five weeks without doing any thing, it is said p. 191
the Bill will be brought into the House the Beginning of next
week but as I hear they have therein inserted a Clause sub-
jecting your Ldp's Mannours to the payment of a Land Tax
which is one of the Funds, I do not entertain very sanguine
hopes of their doing the Business for which I convened them
in such a manner as Common Sense should dictate & their
Constituents desire. Governor Morris informs me that His
Assembly sat a Month without coming to any Determination or
Resolution & then adjourned themselves for a fort-night, he
does not seem to expect any thing from them at their Meeting
on such Adjournment; & Governor Dinwiddle's Expectations
from his Assembly (which is also met) appear I think to be less
warm than usual. General Shirley has been pleased since the
Assembly met to send me a Commission & Instructions to take
the Command of all the Troops that may be raised in these
Southern Colonies for an Expedition to the Westward, I have
thanked the General for his intended Favour, but as Affairs
are at present situated I have forbid him to expect my doing
any thing, & intimated to him that while Men, Money, Arms,
Ammunition, the smallest Train, Provisions & Credit are wanting
his Commission will not much contribute to the Reduction of
the French Fort or the Security of our own Frontiers : in truth
my Ld the Condition of these Colonies is deplorable, The
Enemy see us inactive & naturally hold us in Contempt,
the Success the Indians have met with encourages them to

384 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

Letter Bk. I. pursue their Victory & the timorous Inhabitants desert their
plantations & fly from Danger as it approaches those that are
more remote from it either pity the Frontier Inhabitants or
condemn their Cowardice but not a Man will move to their
Assistance or to oppose the Enemy. The Eastern Colonies
p- 192 have indeed shewn a laudable Spirit, they are raising a Body
of 8000 or 9000 Men who will march toward Crown Point
under the Command of Col° Winsloe while the four Regi-
ments on the Establishment are employed to the Westward.
What will be the Event of this Campaign I cannot guess,
the French I am afraid will be found pretty strong on the
Lakes especially as the want of a Martial Spirit in these Colonies
will prevent any Diversion to the Southwestward w'''' would
necessarily oblige the Enemy to divide their Forces. Inclosed
I send your Ldp a Return of the Number of Inhabitants in
your Lordsp's Province whereby y' Ldp will see what propor-
tion those of the several Denominations bear to each other.
I am honoured w''' y'' Ldp's Commands concerning some
Maryland Partridges which are called Quails in the Northern
Colonies I have ordered a number of them to be caught &
hope I shall have them to send by the next Ship that sails for
London I &c

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

March 1756 transmitted by Capt Merry from Potowmack.

S^

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Letr dated the 24''' Oct' the Vessel by which it was sent had a
remarkable long passage, so that it did not come to hand till
a few Days since. Mine dated the 5"" Ian'' informed you that
our Assembly was to meet the 20'*" of last Month ; there was
not a House till the 23'^ ever since which time they have been
sitting without having brought a Supply Bill into the House
in Consequence of a Vote for granting _;^40,ooo. By the Bill
that is framing ^30000 of that Sum is to be struck in Bills of
T93 Credit to be sunk within 7 or 8 years, by a Land Tax, Excise
on Spirituous Liquors, a Stamp Duty, & some other Fund of
less Value or Importance ; they propose I hear to subject His
Ldp's Mannours to the Payment of the Land Tax, w'^'> will lay
me under a Necessity of refusing the Bill & perhaps of putting
an End to this as I have done to former Sessions, & shall I am
afraid to all future Ones unless the Legislature of Great
Britain will take the Condition of these Colonies under Con-
sideration & save the respective Assemblies the Trouble of
providing for their own Safety. The Assembly of Pensilvania

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 385

sat a Month with' doing any thing & have adjourned them- Letter Bk. i.
selves for a Fortnight. The Virg'' Assembly is also sitting &
I am afraid to as little purpose. This being our Situation I
leave you to judge what must be our Prospect ; the Enemy
encrease & destroy our timorous Inhabitants with Impunity,
those that are more remote from Danger content themselves
with pitying such as are exposed, or perhaps condemn them
for Cowardice, but will not move to their Assistance, or unless
they can at the same time gratify their own Passions send
them the least Support. Was I writing to a Person who had
not been conversant with or read the lournals of our Assem-
blie's Proceedings I should be afraid that such an Account
might lead him to suspect my Veracity, as it would be natural
for him to argue from the palpable Absurdity of what I say
with respect to the Behaviour of our People or rather their
Representatives that such Conduct is inconceiveable & impos-
sible, but to you who must have learnt from Experience that
we reason very differently in these parts of His Majesty's
Dominions from what his Subjects in Great Britain are apt to
do, our Proceedings at this time of the most imminent Danger
cannot be very strange or surprizing. The Beginning of this p. 194
Month I received in a Letf from General Shirley a Commis-
sion & Instructions to take the Command of all the Forces
that shall be raised in these Southern Colonies & with them
make another Attempt on Fort Du Ouesne, at least cause a
Diversion to prevent the Enemie's Reinforcing their Garrisons
to the Northw'' from their Forts & Settlements on the Ohio.
Had His Excellency sent me Money to raise & support the
Men that he bids me take the Command of, & instead of
ordering what Field Pieces there were in Virg^ round to
N York have sent hither a Train of Artillery & a sufficient
Number of small Arms & Ammunition (of which these Colo-
nies are in great want; I should have entertained some hopes
of being able effectually to secure these Colonies at least ; but
without Men or Money, Provisions, Arms, Ammunition or
Credit, I cannot think the Reduction of Fort Du Quesne this
summer will be easily effected. Inclosed is a Copy of my
Speech to the Assembly at the Opening of this Session with
the Addresses of both Houses & my Answers, in one of which
you see I told the Burgesses I concluded they would act like
rational Creatures & honest Men or to that effect, but I begin
to fear that their Actions will shew that I did not know my
Men, or that I said rather more than I beleived. I cannot
learn that any Letf' have been received from Europe since
those dated in Nov' The second Packett is not arrived so that
we are entirely ignorant what Measures are taking at home,
or whether a Rupture between the two Nations is absolutely

386 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. unavoidable. General Shirley it is said will shortly proceed to
Oswego with the four Regiments, & we are told that the
Eastern Colonies will furnish 8000 or 9000 Men for another
p- 195 Expedition towards Crown Point, of these Provincials Col°
Winsloe of Massachusetts Bay is to have the Chief & S' W"
lohnson the second Command. The Garland Man of War
stationed in Virg'' has been on a Cruize & brought in three
Prizes, one of which is said to be of considerable Value —

At the Bottom of a Duplicate of the foregoing Lett'
was writ the follow^

April the 17* 1756.

S'

A Gentleman calling on me to know if I had any Commands
to Biddeford for which place he is departing I embrace the
Opportunity to inform you that the preceeding Lett' describes
to you our present Situation the End of last Week the Lower
House sent to the Upper the Supply Bill to which many
Objections have been made & sent down with a Message, I
beleive the Objections cannot be overcome & am afraid I must
entirely despair of seeing any Troops raised in this Province
even for our own Protection I am &c —

Original. [Shirley to Sharpe.]

Boston March 29. 1756.
Sir.

Upon second thoughts, I would not give your Honour the
trouble of having my answer to the address of the Assembly
of Pensilvania printed in your Province, and desire it may not
be done.

My other letter was gone to the post, w*^*" is the reason of
my troubling your Honour with this

I am

Sir
Your most faithfull
Humble Servant
W Shirley.
Hon'''" Horatio Sharpe
Esq'

Liber J. K. [Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

& u. s.
1x92 Annapolis March 30"" 1756.

S'

I send this to acquaint you with an unhappy Affair that I
am told has lately happened at the Mouth of Conegocheige

Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe. 387

within this Province, I have my Information only from Report, Liber j. r.
but by Mrhat I can learn there was a Party of Colonel Washing- '^ ^- ^•
tons Regiment posted somewhere in Virginia opposite the
Place above mentioned ; Lieutenant Gordon who commanded
it, on some Account or other came over into Maryland, and
falling into a Fray of which I cannot learn any thing particular,
was killed by an Inhabitant of this Province who was thereupon
apprehended, but through the Ignorance of a County Justice
was soon after admitted to Bail. As soon as I was advised
thereof, I ordered a Provincial Warrant to be instantly issued
requiring the Sheriff of Frederick County where the Fact was
committed to take the Offender into Custody, and carry him
before a Provincial Magistrate to be dealt with according to
Law, and to take his trial, at the next Assize's for the County
which Will be held at Frederick Town the fifth of May next,
when the Attorny General will be sent up to prosecute, you
will therefore be pleased to direct the surviving Officer of the
above mentioned Party to order such Soldiers, or other Inhab-
itants of Virginia, as may have been Witnesses to this unhappy
Accident, to attend at the Assizes and give their Evidence.
In case such Witnesses should be afraid of being molested (of
which I think they have not the least Reason to be apprehen-
sive) they shall on the Officer's making Application either to
the Court or myself have a Protection ; which your Honour
will be pleased to signify to him, that whatever might be the
Issue of the Trial, there may not be the least Room given any
Person whatever to Insinuate hereafter, that every Step was
not taken to bring the Criminal to condign Punishment.
Your Honor will I hope be perswaded that every Measure
shall be taken by this Government that is agreeable to Law,
and Justice, and believe that I am

With great Regard
S' Your most humble & m' obed' Serv'
Hor: Sharpe
To
Governor Dinwiddle.

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.] Letter Bk.iii

2'^ of April 1756.
D' B^

Your two Letf^ dated the 7"" & 16"' of Ocf I had a few
Days since the pleasure to receive & embrace this first Oppor-
tunity of making my Acknowledgments for them & returning
you my sincere thanks for the several Instances of your Kind-
ness & Friendship therein hinted at. I rejoice that you was

388 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Ill enabled & took such Steps to confute a Report which was
entirely groundless & might have been very prejudicial to my
Interest: The inclosed Copy of my Letter to Governor Din-
widdle on my Return from Fort Cumberland will support what
I writ to you about the same time & will shew I presume that
Colonel Dunbar never consulted any of us on the propriety of
marching the Regiments to Phil^ immediately after the Action
& leaving the Frontiers of these provinces exposed, had he
asked my Opinion thereon He would not I assure you have
obtained my Consent for I thought then as I do now that there
was a wide Difference between marching such an Army as his
was then to attack Fort Du Ouesne without Artillery or other
Stores, & remaining on the Defensive at Fort Cumberland or
any other advanced post between that & the Ohio ; The last
in my Opinion would have been proper & a very prudent Step
but the first the Height of Quixiotism. As the Assembly of
Pensilvania did not grant any Supplies upon the General's
Defeat, I never met our Assembly on that Event but contented
myself with laying out the litde money that was in my hands in
the best manner to secure our back Inhabitants from the Bar-
barities which have been severely felt by those of the Neigh-
bouring Colonies & declined calling the Assembly till I could
lay some Scheme or Plan of Operations before them, & till
I should see their Neighbours set them a laudable Example.
When they met the 23'' of Feb*" I recommended it to them to
contribute to the Execution of the Plan that was concerted at
N York which they have now had under Consideradon 6
Weeks without being able to frame or perfect a Bill which the
Committee was ordered to prepare upon their passing a Vote
for ^40000. It will make its Appearance I am told next week
but by what I can find in such a Dress as will lay the Upper
House or Myself under a Necessity of refusing it: Should
this be it's Fate & the Virg^ Assembly break up as that of
Pensilvania has done without granting any Supplies as I have
some reason to fear it will, I leave you to judge whether I have
not a very fair Prospect of being able to reduce Fort Du
Ouesne this Summer as I am directed by General Shirley to do
with the Forces that these Colonies shall raise for that purpose.
I inclose you a Copy of the General's Letter which I received
with the Commission & Instrucdons & also my Answer thereto
since the writing of which my Hopes have daily diminished &
I begin to think that I ought not to be sorry at His Excellency's
having ordered all the Field Pieces that were in these parts
round from Virg^' to N York ; May he use them with greater
Success than I could hope to do here tho I dare not be very
sanguine even in such hopes so much is the Face of Affairs in
America altered within this twelve month —

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 389

[Sharpe to Shirley.] l

lo'** of April 1756 —
S^

The inclosed Letter I am desired to forward to y' Exllency
from Col" Washington & to request you to commissionate
& appoint him Second in Command in case these Colonies
shall raise a sufficient Number of Troops for carrying on an
Expedition or making a Diversion to the Westward this
Summer; As M' Washington is much esteemed in Virginia
& really seems a Gentl" of Merit I should be exceedingly glad
to learn that your Excellency is not averse to favouring his
Application & Request. The Assembly of this province is still
sitting but no Supply Bill is yet passed & 1 hear that the
Virginians have not yet come to any Resolution to grant such
Supplies as you have recommended to them & required.
If I shall have any prospect of being enabled to do any thing
this Summer in pursuance of the Commission with which you
have been pleased to honour me I must beg the favour of your
Excellency to give me an Order for all His Majesty's Stores of
any kind that 1 can find or discover in Virg^ or this province
lest the Persons in whose Custody they were left last year may
not think my Receipt or Order alone for them a sufficient
Indemnification I am &c.

[Sharpe to Shirley.]

14"' of April 1756—
S^

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Lett' dated at Boston the 28"" Ult. but am sorry that the
measures taken by the Assembly of this Province & the Delay
of those of the two neighbouring Colonies to grant any Sup-
plies obliges me to acquaint your Excellency that I have now
very little hopes of seeing such a Number of Men raised by
them this Summer as would be able to carry your Excellency's
vScheme for the Reduction of Fort Du Ouesne into Execution;
By a Return made me by the Lieut' Colonel of the Virg'' Regi-
ment the 22^ of March I find that it does not exceed 440 Men.
Capt Dagworthy's Company of fifty that has been kept up by
this Province the Assembly will lay me under a Necessity of
disbanding unless you will choose to take upon yourself to
support it during the Campaign or order them to N York & take
them into the Regiments under your own Command. I can-
not find that the Commissioners who went from Virg" to the
Cherokees are yet returned or have been lately heard of;

390 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. in neither have We any Account from Major Lewis who marched
so long since with a Party of Cherokees & some of the Virg''
Rangers to attack one of the Shawanese Towns. Perhaps
when the Virg'' & N. CaroHna Troops shall join they may make
a Body of about 800 effective Men ; as the Communication
between Fort Cumberland & our Westernmost Settlements
has been for some time cut off & the Country laid waste for
60 miles on this Side the Fort (the Inhabitants instead of
uniting & meeting the Enemy flying from Danger as it
approaches & deserting their Habitations on every the least
Alarm) Part of those 800 must be left at Fort Cumberland to
garrison that place, & with the Remainder I am ready to march
whereever your Excellency shall think proper to order me or
his Majesty's Service shall in your Opinion require. As the
North Carolina Forces will expect to be supplied with Pro-
vision as they were the last & preceeding Summer I will if
Your Excellency thinks fit to impower me take Care to have
them supplied therewith & draw on whomsoever Your Excel-
lency shall be pleased to direct for payment, as I shall also be
obliged to do for Money to defray the Expence of all the
Carriage as well by Water as Land. Tho I cannot entertain
very sanguine hopes of being able to get to Fort Du Ouesne
yet as it is not absolutely certain that these Colonies will
determine to continue inactive the whole Summer I should be
glad if Your Excellency could send a Howitzer or Mortar or
two & some Shells for them which perhaps tho no Field-Pieces
can be spared you will be able to order from some of the
Northern Govern'" & as no Attempt can be made on a Fort
with any probability of Success without something of this Sort
I take the Liberty to request your Excellency if it be in your
power to favour us so far. Your Excellency directs or recom-
mends it to me to march about 1000 light-armed Troops with
some Indians immediately to blockade or invest Fort Du
Ouesne & prevent the Garrison's being reinforced or receiving
any Supplies of Provisions ; I have already intimated that no
Indians have yet joined the Troops, & have also informed you
how far the Forces under my Command fall short of the
Number that your Excellency desires may be detached on such
Service: for my own part I do not apprehend that the Garrison
at Fort Du Ouesne is at this time in want of Provisions, for
was that the Case they may easily have supplied themselves
from our Frontiers, & I am apt to think that instead of killing
the Cattle in the Fields & burning all the Grain in our Barns
they & their Indian Allies who have committed such Devasta-
tions would have driven off the first to the Ohio alive & loaded
with Corn the Numbers of Horses which We know they have
taken from our Settlements to the Westward, how strong the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 391

French are at Fort Du Quesne I have not heard but if they Letter Bk. iii
learn that we are making no preparations for another Expe-
dition that Way as no doubt they will from the Captives they
are daily making I presume they will detach as many Men as
they can possibly spare to reinforce their Garrisons on the
Lakes ; & I am confirmed in this Opinion by the Instructions
that were found in the pockett of an Ensign who was lately
killed by some of the Inhabitants of Virg^ near Conegochiegh.
I am persuaded that if the Assembly would have been pre-
vailed on to provide for their Subsistance a considerable
Number of the Inhabitants of Maryland would have been
inclined to make a Campaign with me, but as I have now no
farther hopes from that Quarter, unless your Excellency should
find yourself impowered & think proper to direct & authorize
me to raise & subsist 500 or 600 Men during the Summer I
must give over all thoughts of getting any Troops from this
Province, & have nothing more to do than in Obedience to
your Excellency's Orders to put Myself at the head of the
Virg" & N Carolina Forces when they join & proceed as you
shall command either to secure the Frontiers of these provinces
or advance towards the Enemy. I am &c —

[Sharpe to Morris.]

April the 24"" 1756
S'

M' Lunen of Phih calling on me on His Return from Virg*
I embrace the Opportunity to intimate to you that our Assembly
is still sitting but as the Lower House seem to be absolutely
determined to grant no Supplies unless they can at the same
time carry certain points which manifestly tend to subvert in a
great measure the Constitution & render it more similar to
that of Pensilvania which I beleive you do not think the inost
perfect, I expect to find myself under a necessity of proroguing
them in three or four Days — I am informed by a Lett' from
Alexandria that a Ship which left England the 1 2"'' of Feb' &
arrived at Hampton the iG"" Inst, brings Advice that War was
declared in England two Days before She sailed & that Lord
Loudon & Col° Abercrombie with three Regiments were
coming hither — The Indians have lately done a good deal of
Mischief on the Frontiers of Virg-^ the Forts that were some
time since built there for the Protection of the Back-Inhabitants
have been many of them attacked & some reduced & destroyed
& a Detachment from the Virg^ Regiment of 50 Men com-
manded by Capt Mercier has been defeated near Cape Capon
about 18 miles from Winchester, the Captain, Lieutenant, 3
Sergeants & 15 private Men were killed or wounded & left to
the Enemy —

392 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

[Shirley to Sharpe.]

Hartford in Connecticutt April 24**' 1756.
Sir

In your last, you mention'd that you was in want of small
Arms.

I am now upon my lourney to New York, and have only
time to inform your Honour that the 10,000 stands of Arms,
& proportion of Ammunition sent by his Majesty to Boston
for the use of the Colonies, according to the Discretion of the
Commander in Chief of his Forces in North America, are now
arriv'd, & are under the Care of the Comptroller of Ordnance
settled by the Board at that place.

Of these Arms I have order'd the Comptroller to deliver
300 Stands with a proper proportion of Ammunition to any
person, who shall be authoriz'd by your Honour's Government
to receive and indent for the same on the behalf of the Prov-
ince ; viz' to return the Arms at the End of the present Service,
for w'^'" they are lent to the Province, into his Majesty's Stores
at Boston, pursuant to the Directions of the Board of Ordnance
there to be kept by their Officers, as a Magazine for the use of
the Colonies, which shall want them.

The Rule, I have observ'd in the present Distribution of
these Arms, with respect to my own & all the other Govern-
ments, except Virginia & Connecticutt, is to deliver to each of
them Arms for four sevenths of the Men, they now raise: I
am oblig'd to furnish his Majesty's four Regiments of Regulars
immediately with 1200 Stands; and the 10,000 stands will
hold out for no larger a proportion, leaving only 800 stands in
the Stores for Extraordinary Contingencies; you will be pleas'd,
Sir, in case your Government shall raise 500 Men for the
Expedition to send for the Arms, when you think proper, to
M' Turner Comptroller of his Majesty's Ordnance at Boston.

Inclos'd is a Copy of the Vote of the Massachusetts Assembly
upon this Occasion, which your Honour may follow so far as
you like it.

Wishing you Success in all your undertakings for the present
Service, I am with great Regard & Esteem —

Sir
Your Honour's most Humble,
and most Obedient Servant
W Shirley.
Hon"' Horatio Sharpe Esq''

Corj'espondetice of Governor Sharpe. 393

[S' Clair to Sharpe.]

Albany April the 28"' 1756.
Sir

I have just now received your Excelleacys Letter of the 6"''
for which I return you my most hearty thanks, I shall do
every thing in my power to obey your Commands in serving
M' Makay but my Interest and Influence with our Commanding
Gen' diminishes daily; in so much that I am the only person
in the Army who has nothing to do. I have requested of His
Excellency (seeing he has no use for me) to order me home,
but that cannot be granted.

I assure you that no trouble or pains shou'd be wanting to
give you an account of our situation: All I can say that our
Affairs to me have an Evil Aspect, and in place of anoying the
Enemy, I wish we may be able to hinder them from anoying us.
It is impossible for me to relate facts to you as they are differ-
endy reported from the same people, so that what I see I can
write but nothing else. I am not even able to tell you the
strength of the two American Regiments nor to guess at thier
numbers within one thousand. The 2 British Battallions want
about 400 of which they may receive 100 in Recruits in a few
Days. The Independent Companys have got about half way up
to their Establishment. As to our taking the field that must
intirely depend on the Military Knowledge and activity of
Lieu' Colonel Bradstreet, he has got the direction of the
whole, by a Special Commission and ample Instructions.
I wish he may not lead us astray he and Gen' Shirley I sup-
pose understand one another, I understand neither.

A Detach' of 70 Men march to morrow from hence to fort
William Henry, the Garrison of that fort and fort Edward are
in great distress, but when they are relieved they may give it
out that their Distress was not real.

I give you Joy with all my heart of your Command, you
have it in your power of gaining more Honour by defending
your Province, than the ablest General can have in our parts, in
acting against the Common Enemy. I am not able to comply
with your Request with regard to M^Kellar I shall write to him
about it, he is gone towards Oswego but I have not heard of
him since the latter End of last Month.

M'^Clean the Commissary of Fort Cumberland who arrived
here two Days ago tells me that he delivered over to Com^
Walker 12 Doz" of Wine & 4 Casks of Rum of Col° Innes.
As all that Rum & wine was originaly yours I know no one
has a better right to it than you have I cannot say that it all
belongs to me, but I may venture to make you sure you will be
welcome to it tho' part of it may belong to lames Innes

394 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Gordon the Engenier is here and desires his Compliments
to you. I wish you all the Success you can desire and more
satisfaction than I ever can hope for in America. I am with
the greatest Regard

Your Excellencys

Most obedient and most

humble Servant

John S' Clair

To His Excellency Gov' Sharpe.

Original. [Dinwiddie to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg May [24] 1756
Sir

Yours of the lo"" I received. The Enemy that invaded our
Frontiers & did so much Mischief are returned over the
Allegany Mountains, whether to reinforce to return to plunder
& murder our People is uncertain; but I am much of Opinion
with you that without assistance from Home we shall cut but a
bad Figure against the Enemy.

I am sorry the Pensylvanians are not more resolute in granting
Supplies, and the Dillatoriness of your Assembly is surprizing,
when the Time for Action will be greatly over before they
grant Supplies.

We have a Volunteer Association of the Gent" in this
Province they have marched to the number of 200 to our
Frontiers, it will be of Service in annimating the lower Class
of our People, tho' I think they will meet with no Enemy.

By Vote of Assembly we are making Draughts from the
Militia to augment our Regiment to 1500 Private Men, but
unless the neighbouring Colonies join them with a proper
Number, what can be done? Indeed for want of Artillery &
Ingineers no Attempt can be made against their Fort on the
Ohio ; so that I think they can only remain to protect our
Frontiers

By Col" Ludwell we have represented our present situation
to the Earl of Loudon (who we think may be at New York by
this Time) and desire his Advice & Assistance. Our Assembly
has voted 35000 more for the Service, but this is only keeping
the Expedition alive, while our Neighbours appear to be wrapt
up in supine Inactivity I am sorry you cannot order Your
Milida out on any Extremity ; & I shall be glad to know what
your Assembly has done after so long a Session.

The same News we have here in regard to Lord Loudon &
the Forces he is to bring with him, & that he is appointed
Chief Governor of this Dominion in the room of Lord Albemarle.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 395

I am of Opinion the French will reinforce Fort Du Ouesne
from New Orleans &c on the Mississippi ; it's true its a long
March, but what will they not do to accomplish the Plan they
have so many Years been forming, & if that should be the
Case these Colonies will be much distressed this Sumer ;
I can only continue to do every Thing in my Power to protect
our Front' in order thereto we propose building Forts from
North to South of this Colony ; I must remain in this Situat"
till I hear from N York.

The Treaty with Catawbas & Cherokees is at the Press,
as soon as printed shall send you a Copy

I remain

Your Excellency's
Most hble Servant
Rob' Dinwiddle
Governor Sharpe

[Sharpe to W. Sharpe.] Letter Bk.iii

2'' of May 1756 —

Inclosed you have a Duplicate of my last to B' lohn, this will
be directed to yourself as I am just favoured with your two Lett"^'
dated the 10''' of lan^ & ig""" Feb^" & as I apprehend it makes
no difference whether what I write for you both be addressed
to yourself or him. That I do not always send my Friends in
England as early Advice of every material Occurrence in
America as Gent" who reside in other parts of the Continent
may possibly do is in great Measure owing to my want of
Opportunities of transmitting Letters by the Maryland Ships
which are comparatively but few & generally leave us all at
one Season; & I cannot get Letters conveyed to & put on
board Vessels that sail from other Provinces but at a very
considerable Expence as you will judge when I inform you that
I have been obliged to pay for Expresses & Letters that I
sent or received on His Majesty's Service this last year more
than ^120 St- which the Assembly are averse & scruple to
repay me, arguing it should be done by the Fines & Forfeitures
arising & appropriated by Acts of Assembly for the Support
of Govern' & I know what answer I should be favoured with
was I to represent my Case to M' Calvert & intimate a Desire
of being reimbursed by His Lordship: however you may be
assured that when any thing of Importance does happen I will
not make an Apology of this Sort for not sending you the
most early Intelligence — What you say of your having seen a
Copy of a Resolution of a Council of War called by Col° Dun-

396 Correspondence of Governor Shar-pe.

Letter Bk. Ill bar at Fort Cumberland to consider of the Expediency of his
leaving that place & marching the two Regiments to Phil'' does
not a little surprize me because I am confident that I never
advised him to take that Step & that I never subscribed such
an Opinion as you mention. Col° Dunbar had determined to
retire from Fort Cumberland & proceed to Phil^ before I savir
him, indeed I was advised thereof several Days before I got to
the Camp & had scarcely any thoughts of finding him there at
my Arrival, I have been told that immediately on his Return
to Fort Cumberland after the Action he sent to Capt Orme to
know how the General intended to have disposed of the Troops
if he had lived, & that on Capt Orme's answering he would have
left the Provincials at the Fort & marched the Regulars to Pens^
for Winter-Quarters, the Colonel declared that he would do the
same & instantly give Orders for the Troops to hold themselves
in Readiness to march, whether this was true I cannot say but
I well remember & so do those that were with me that as soon as
I reached the Camp & waited on Col° Dunbar he informed me
that he had determined to march from Fort Cumberland & that
he hoped to be in Phif^ within a few Weeks. During my Stay
at the Fort he received a Letter from Governor Dinwiddie
wherein he was urged in very strong Terms to march &
recover the Cannon & Stores that had fallen into the Enemy's
hands & to attempt again the Reduction of Fort Du Ouesne.
The next morning by his Desire I met Col° Gage & S' lohn S'
Clair at his Tent & when he asked us " Whether we thought it
was advisable & for his Majesty's Service that he should
immediately proceed to Fort Du Ouesne " I as well as the other
Gent" answered in the Negative & I am apt to beleive that
after reading the inclosed Copy of my Letter to Governor
Dinwiddie you will not think We gave an improper Answer.
As I presume Col° Dunbar will be questioned on his Return to
England & asked what Motives induced him to leave Fort
Cumberland I doubt not but he will do all the Gent" that he
desired to attend the Council which he called there, the Justice
to acknowledge that he never asked their Opinion about
marching the Regiments to Phil^ I am convinced that they all
disapproved of that Step & that if he had thought proper to
have consulted them thereon they would have unanimously
advised him against it. Upon Dunbar's expressing (after the
Council) a good deal of Astonishment & some Resentment at
a Paragraph of Governor Dinwiddle's Lett' wherein he had
intimated that the Colonel ought to have advised the several
Governors on the Continent of the General's ill Success & of
his own Intentions & Resolutions thereon I could not help
observing that as to that I thought Governor Dinwiddie's
Expectations were not at all unreasonable as General Braddock

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 397

had been particularly instructed to keep up a constant Corres- Letter Bk.iii
pondence with us all & my Friend S' lohn joined me in repre-
senting to him the ill Consequence that might attend his
marching so suddenly from Fort Cumberland without advising
the Neighbouring Governors thereof, for my own part I said
I had not waited for a Lett' from him tho I should have
esteemed his Writing as a Favour but as I had learnt before I
came thither that he had left or was about to leave the Frontiers
I had taken some & should on my Return towards Annapolis
take more effectual Measures for the Safety of the People
under my Care, & that no doubt Governor Dinwiddle & M'
Morris would have done the same had they been advised or if
they should accidentally hear of the Step which he was about
to take. Soon after I left the Camp he begun his March but
had not proceeded far before Col" Innes (whom General
Braddock had appointed Governor of Fort Cumberland) sent
after him desiring a Reinforcement, the Provincial Troops that
were left being not supposed a sufficient Garrison for the
Defence of the Fort ; the Letf^ was writ with great freedom
& the Penman did not seem to have considered what phrases
would be most agreeable to the Gentlemen to whom t'was
addressed the Colonel I beleive took no notice of it but con-
tinued his March & soon afterwards received General Shirley's
Orders to proceed to Albany with all possible Expedition.
S' W"' lohnson is not as you seem to expect to have the Com-
mand of the Provincial Troops that are raising in the Eastern
Colonies for another Expedition against Crown Point, That
is to be given to Colo Winsloe who commanded the New
England Troops last Summer in Nova Scotia. I cannot learn
what Character he bears as an Officer but he is much esteemed
in New England & it is said the Eastern Colonies have resolved
to raise for him near 9000. S' VV™ lohnson will concern him-
self only with the Indians which is his proper Sphere, I beleive
the Indians that he leads are to act in Conjunction with the
Regulars & the lersey Regiment on the Lakes this Summer
I have been informed that to support his Interest among the
Indians of the Six Nations, he had almost spent his Fortune
therefore it gives me pleasure to hear that his Services have
been rewarded in the manner you mention. I am inclined to
think General Shirley must be weary of his Command & will
resign without much Reluctance, the News of his being super-
ceeded will not I beleive be unwelcome to the Troops or the
Inhabitants of N York but I fear the people of the Massa-
chusetts Bay will not be so well satisfied with any Gent" that
might be appointed his Successor in that Govern' General
Braddock was ordered before he left England to disembark the
Regiments in Virgo's proceed directly towards Fort Du Quesne

398 Con-espondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill that will perhaps account for his not pursuing a Plan which I
think would at that time have been much more eligible — I am
sorry to find the Scheme for raising so many Regiments here
under Swiss Officers is approved of, because no Step could
have been taken that would have been more disagreeable
to his Majesty's American Subjects & because I look upon it as
absolutely impracticable. Have the four established Regiments
notwithstanding they entertained Servants without Distinction
been unable to compleat themselves because the Recruiting
Officers were not natives of the Country ; have the Virginians
sunk so many Thousand Pounds without being able to raise &
keep 500 Men because Governor Dinwiddle could not help
shewing whence he came by his nomination of the Officers?
& can it be supposed that 4000 of our Inhabitants will hasten
to enlist & serve under Foreigners for I shall be much deceived
if these Swiss are not esteemed as such by the Germans who
have for any considerable time resided among us as well as by
the English. Whence comes it that such Numbers have been
speedily collected in the Northern Provinces? must it not be
attributed to the Officer's Commission's being given to popular
Gentlemen who raise their Men in their respective Neighbour-
hoods & in a Month or two a Regiment is compleated : It is
not for want of Men in these parts that I must go to N England
for such an Instance; but before I say any thing more on this
Topic let me express my Gratitude for your constant Solicitude
& Endeavours to do me Service, had you succeeded so far as
to obtain for me the posts of Honour & profit that Brother
John & Yourself have been indefatigable in solliciting I could
not beleive me have thought myself more obliged than I do at
present nor have been more sensibly affected with your Kind-
ness & affectionate Behaviour ; It would not I think become
me to desire you to forbear using your Interest in my favour
but I do make it my earnest Request that no Step or Measure
might be taken to promote me which may put it out of your
Power or make it more difficult for you to serve him or those
whose Merit more particularly entitles them & whose Circum-
stances more strongly recommend them to your Affectionate
Regard, but could I by your means obtain such a Colonel's
Commission as would give me a Right to half-pay & at the
same time a power to raise a Regiment in this province to be
paid from home but called a Provincial Regiment I think
I could soon convince the Switzers that they are not the most
proper persons to be sent to raise Men in these parts, & I am
inclined to think that if His Majesty was pleased to grant such
a Commission, & impower me as Governor of Maryland to
commissionate all the Officers at least under the Major some
Money might be saved to the Nation by the Number of Half-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 399

pay Officers at the End of this American War being much lessLette
than it will be if different measures are pursued I cannot con-
clude this Article without observing that if my hands had not
been tied up by such Instructions as empty Coffers seem
to have dictated I should many Months ago have had a Regi-
ment of Maryland Troops under my Command & in all
probability have been enabled to prevent any Incursions of
Indians into this Province & thereby have saved a great part
of the /1600 which His Ldp's Agent tells me he has lost by the
Back Inhabitants deserting their plantations to avoid the Bar-
barities of the Savages. I am glad you pressed M' Calvert to
persuade My Lord to make his Tenants a present of some
Arms & if he would recover their Affections let him do so ;
but I dare not speak lest it should be thought that I am courting
the people's Favour at another's Expence. 1 am concerned to
find the Instruction lately sent concerning Ordinary Lycences
was given with so much Regret or that it is thought a great
favour I assure you the Concession does not appear to many
here in that light & I heartily wish for His Lordship's Sake
more than my own that I had been ordered to wave the Dis-
pute about them before I was thro your Interest honoured with
a Lieut' Colonel's Commission Our Assembly is now sitting
& have framed a Bill for granting ^40,000 for his Majesty's
Service but as it does not exempt His Ldp's Mannours & some
Lands which he has ordered to be reserved in the populous
parts of the province from the Land Tax which is imposed as
one of the Funds for sinking the Money I ought in Obedience
to a Letter which I have lately received from M' Calvert to
reject the Bill & be guilty of such Reasoning as Gov' Morris
has been in defending his Superiour's Instructions, but by what
I can find His Lordship's Council & best Friends will advise
me very differently & insist on my disobeying for once M''
Calvert's Order, unless those Arms should haply arrive before
the Bill can be offered me. Whether I shall be approved or
condemned for this Step I cannot predict but am in hopes that
the arguments which may be used to convince His Lordship
that the preservation of his Province depends on a Supply Bill's
being passed at this Juncture & that his Ldp's Annual propor-
tion of the intended Tax will be less than the Interest of the
Money which according to his Agent's Account he lost last
year will excuse me for not insisting so strenuously on what
His Ldp & M' Calvert distinguish by the name of preroga-
tive. I would not imply by any thing that has been said that
I at all approve of the Assembly's Conduct, on the Contrary
I think them absolutely inexcusable for the part they have acted
on this Occasion & if an Act of Generosity in His Ldp had
afforded me the least Room I would not have despaired of

400 Coi'respondeitce of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. Ill making them ashamed of their Behaviour & of rendering
them odious to tlieir own Constituents. My lourney to Fort
Cumberland last Summer & in the Winter to New York where
I was obliged to wait for & attend General Shirley near two
Months put me to about ^150 Expence for which I shall never
receive more than thanks at most, to this let there be added
what the Frequency & Length of our Sessions of Assembly &
the Number of Military Officers who call on me lay me under
a necessity of expending together with part of my House Rent
& also the /"250 which I am annually to pay M' Calvert for his
Correspondence & deduct the whole out of my yearly Salary
& Perquisites which amount to about ^1400. The Remainder
is for the Support of the Honour & Dignity of His Ldp's
Governor & for him to lay by against a future Day. I think I
have already hinted to you that I am not permitted to dispose
of any of the most honourable or Lucrative Offices because
another Person loves to have all Applications made to himself,
this perhaps is of itself sufficient to lessen the Weight & Influ-
ence that a Governor would otherwise have but as it has been
thought proper of late to saddle those Offices with about ^550
•J3 Ann. & I am charged with the Care of making the most
advantageous Bargains I submit to your own Judgment
whether it is possible for a Person in my situation to continue
always popular. Any Body that can get introduced to M'
Calvert is sure to bring me an open Lett' desiring I will
appoint him to this or that or the first vacant Office should I
have any Objection to the Person so introduced & recommended
to me or for any other reason neglect to comply with the
Terms of such Letter, that Man thinks himself hardly dealt by
& immediately commences my Enemy. It has been the Policy
of my Predecessors always to have three or four Gentlemen of
Abilities in His Ldp's Council & the Rule was a good one,
such three or four gave the whole Board Weight & made the
Lower House more cautious how they attacked a Superiour
Branch of the Legislature. Since my Arrival I have had the
Misfortune to lose lennings & two other Gent" of very good
Abilities from that Board whereby it is exceedingly reduced tho
those Accidents have made no more than three Seats vacant,
to fill the first I recommended the Son of one of those deceased
a Gent" in my Opinion of the best natural & acquired Abilities
of any in the Province & therefore a more desirable Friend &
more formidable Enemy. His Services while in the Lower
House supported my Recommendation, but my repeated
Applications in his favour for what Cause I know not have
hitherto proved ineffectual & instead of him am I ordered to
put into the Council a Person whose Merit & Qualifications are
to me all invisible unless I am to reckon as such an easy Dis-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 401

position & his having lately contracted Marriage with a Niece Letter Bk.
of His Ldp's who was lately in England & whom possibly you
might have seen at the Council Office. On these Matters I
have often writ in the most pressing manner but have the
Mortification to see that I have done so to very little purpose —
There are several Matters about which Disputes have sub-
sisted many years between the Lord Proprietary & the people
which would His Ldp suffer them to be brought to a Hearing
at home & a final Determination would I am well convinced
be decided without the least hesitation in His Ldp's favour,
however Some of the violent Patriots as they are called think
& persuade the People to think otherwise, a Cause is not to
be brought before His Majesty in Council without Money &
an Agent; the People have repeatedly desired to be allowed
an Agent for a short time ; Granting their Request His Lord-
ship says would plunge him into a Sea of Trouble & therefore
enjoynes me to take every measure to prevent any thing of
that Sort, unless the people will put their Confidence in M""
Calvert & nominate him their Agent, this I am to recommend
to them as warmly as possible but as it can be easily foreseen
with what Indignation they would hear the proposal, I shall
never act so impolitickly as to give them a Hint of it — I am
sorry to find thatM"^ Hanbury thinks himself in the least respect
slighted or neglected by me I am sure I have endeavoured by
many Letters to convince him of the contrary & that I highly
esteem & value his Friendship, this you may depend I will
continue to do but I begin to fear from what you intimate that
he is not quite satisfied at my declining to prefer some persons
who had procured his Letters of Recommendation I need not
tell you what Motive will sometimes induce Merchants to give
such Lett"' nor will you think it strange that I should not
always see their Friends with the same Eyes that they do, but
as far as I have been able I have endeavoured to oblige
M' Hanbury by serving his Friends tho as I have before hinted
my Superiours have seldom given me such Opportunities —
I am exceedingly obliged to you for recommending me so
warmly to Lord Loudon whose safe & speedy arrival will give
Joy to all His Majesty's American Subjects, by Your Descrip-
tion he is a Gent" that will please much, tho not the more perhaps
for being born in a Northern Climate. The favourable Opinion
you may have inclined him to entertain of me I shall by Letters
& every other Method endeavour to confirm & improve, but as
I have little Reason to be fond of attending or making Court
to Generals in America I hope I shall be excused for not paying
my Respects to him personally, unless I should be fortunate
enough to get such a Commission as I have already mentioned.
I thank you for informing me how far Lord Albermarle interested

402 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill himself in my favour, I embrace this Opportunity of making
my Acknowledgments to him, & beg the favour of you to
present or send him my Letter ; To return again to the
Army on the Footing of a Lieutenant Colonel with a pros-
pect of being obliged to serve many years in that Capacity
here where I have had a Govern' is not I think what I
ought to desire especially if there is a Glimpse of hopes
that Success will some Day attend your kind Solicitations on
my behalf. I suppose General Shirley will never refuse a
good Govern' but I much doubt whether he will at this time of
Life be able to win the Affections of a strange & new People.
The Sentiments of the Inhabitants of N England & the Island-
ers may not possibly be quite similar & tho he might during
many years Residence among them have well studied the
former yet perhaps he will find some Difficulty in pleasing or
conforming to the Customs of the latter. I am afraid the
Gentl" mentioned as his Successor will have a difficult Task to
manage that people who are not looked on to be the most
tractable & can make their Governors a good deal dependant
I think M'' Belchier is said to have lost Money in their Service
& I do not find that the General has amassed any great for-
tune. We imagined M"' Pownall was to succeed M"^ Belchier
who must certainly very shortly leave the Jersies destitute of a
Governor but I presume M'' Pownall will be glad to exchange
his Expectations of that for an Appointment to the other
Province — So far by way of Answer, I now proceed to give
you a brief Account of the present posture of our Affairs in
America. For the plan of Operations concerted at N York I
refer you to Governor Dinwiddle's last Speech to his Assem-
bly in which however you will see he enjoins Secrecy. The
Troops that are raising in the Colonies Northward of the
lersies will make a Body of 8000 or 9000 Men & I hope they
will not let so much of the Summer elapse as they did last
year before they begin their March toward Crown Point. All
the Regulars & the lersey Provincials commanded by Col°
Scuyler are proceeding to Oswego, which place I hope is safe,
but it has been reported & beleived that the Enemy were pre-
paring to attack it before the Garrison could be reinforced
or receive fresh Supplies of Provision of which it is said they
were a few Weeks ago in great Want. The General was
pleased since our Assembly met to send me a Commission &
Instructions to take the Command of all the Forces that should
be raised in these Southern Colonies for an Expedition to the
Westward. I thanked him for his good Intentions & assured
him that if the Colonies would enable me I should readily
undertake the Service, but as I have not learned that the Pen-
silvanians or Virginians have yet come to any Resolution

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 403

thereon & as our frugal Gent" have directed in the Bill they Letter Bk.iii
are framing that no more than 200 Men shall be raised & sup-
ported by this Province unless the Neighbouring Colonies send
a Number of Troops to act in Conjunction with us I give over
all thoughts of marching against Fort Du Quesne this Summer
which I beleive is too strong for me to reduce by Virtue of
His Excellency's Commission without either Men, Artillery,
Money or Provisions. By a late Return from the Lieut' Colonel
of the Virg" Regiment I find they do not yet muster 500 Men
about 200 of whom are at Fort Cumberland to guard & defend
His Majesty's Stores there, & the Rest are posted at different
places on the Frontiers of that Dominion: About a Fortnight
ago a Cap' of the Virg^ Regiment with a Detachment of 60
Men fell in with a Party of Indians on this Side the Fort &
were entirely defeated, the Captain, Lieutenant & 15 private
Men were killed or much wounded & left to the Enemy, &
the Rest of the Detachment retired for Shelter to a little Stoc-
cado Fort which happened to have been built near the place
of Action ; another Party of Virginians had just before attacked
a small party of Indians with Success the Indians were led or
commanded by a F"rench Ensign habited as an Indian who was
left dead on the Field & in a litde Bag tied about his Neck
were found Instructions from the Commandant of Fort Du
Quesne of which I inclose you a Copy. Many of the little
Forts that have been raised for the protection of the Frontier
Inhabitants both in Pens'' & Virg" have been attacked & some
of them reduced; the Indians carry some of those that they
make Prisoners & sell them to the French, some of the Women
& Children they keep in their own Towns with an Intention to
incorporate them with their Tribes, but in general they seem
to delight in putting such as are unhappy enough to fall into
their hands to a cruel Death. Two or three of their Captives
who have lately made their Escape inform us that the French
(how numerous I cannot learn) are all employed in building
Barracks or Houses near Fort Du Quesne for the Reception
& Conveniency of many other Tribes of the Western Indians
who have lately come into their Alliance & are to be con-
stantly employed henceforward in harrassing & depopulating
these poor defenceless & infatuated Colonies. The Commu-
nication between Fort Cumberland & our back Inhabitants has
been for some time cut off & the Country for 60 Miles on this
Side of it is laid waste & abandoned. I should be pretty well
contented if our Assembly would enable me to take such
Measures as in my Opinion would most effectually secure the
Inhabitants of this Province from any future Incursions, at least
till the Svvitzers shall be able to act offensively; but they are
too opinionated as well as too parcimonious to put it in my

404 Correspondence of Governor Skarpe.

Letter Bk. Ill power ; I must therefore yield to all their Absurdities & let
dear-bought Experience convince them that there is no im-
mediate Connection between Tobacco planting & Military
AlTairs & that the Knowledge of one does not always imply
Skill or Experience in the other. I have writ to the Secretary
of State to acquaint him with our deplorable Situation & the
Inability of the people to take effectual Measures for their own
preservation, I have intimated to him that the Assembly have
resolved ro grant ,^^40,000 for His Majesty's Service & the De-
fence of the Province but that fearing they might involve them-
selves in greater Expences than the Circumstances of their Con-
stituents can bear if they had impowered me to raise any con-
siderable Body of Men they have restrained the Number to 200,
tho I could easily raise 700 or 800 from among the Inhabitants
if the Assembly would grant Money for that purpose; I have
inclosed the Letter to Lord Baltimore as I am ordered to do
all that I write to the Ministry, but as it will be presented M"'
Fox soon after you receive this, possibly you may make as
good a use of it as if you had it to deliver yourself. I delay
writing to lennings till I know the Determination of the Lower
House of Assembly on a matter which concerns myself & him
& about which he writ to me ; but if your Fears about him
have proved groundless he shall receive a Letter by the next
Ship that sails —

[Sharpe to Fox.]

3'^ of May 1756

R- Hon^'=

In Obedience to your Commands signified in a Lett' which I
did myself the honour to acknowledge my Receipt of the 8""
of March I am now to inform you that soon after my Return
from N York where I had been attending General Shirley last
Nov' & Decem' I convened the Assembly of this Province &
laying before them the General's Plan of Operations exhorted
& pressed them to contribute as much as was in their power
towards carrying it into Execution, & to provide for the
Defence & Security of the Frontiers of this Province on
which some parties of Indians had begun to make Incursions.
After having sat some weeks they voted about^25,ooo St^ for
His Majesty's Service & have been since preparing a Bill for
that purpose. They intend to appropriate part of the Money
for building a Fort on the Frontiers of this Province &
garrisoning it with 200 Men, but as the Fort is to be 60 Miles
on this Side Fort Cumberland & the Men to be all disbanded
next Winter, I am afraid the Money will be expended without
contributing much to the vSecurity of the Inhabitants of this

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 405

Province or promoting the Common Cause. I have endeavoured Letter
to convince the Assembly of this & to persuade them to let the
Money be disposed of in such a manner as would most effect-
ually preserve their Country & offend the Enemy, & in Order
to this I have recommended the building a strong Fort on an
Eminence at the Conflux of the North & South Branches of
Potowmack (on the Expediency of which I took the Liberty in
Feb^ last to communicate my Sentiments to the R' Hon'''= the
Lords of Trade) which with a small Fort between that place &
that where our People intend to build one would always keep
open the Communication between the Inhabitants & Fort
Cumberland, & would be very convenient or rather absolutely
necessary as a place of Arms in any future Expeditions to the
westward a Body of 500 or 600 Men which had I wherewith to
support them I could easily raise from among our Inhabitants,
posted in those Forts with Orders to be constantly patrolling
or ranging on the Frontiers would effectually prevent any
Incursions of Indians & be always ready to act in Conjunction
with any Troops that should be raised in the Neighbouring
Colonies, or able of themselves to send Detachments to annoy
the Indians in their own Country, but as our Assembly imagine
such measures would involve them in greater Expences than
they think their Constituents can well bear & oblige them to
keep up a Body of Troops much longer than they propose by
the Bill that is now under their Consideration, I am afraid it
will be impossible for me as I have already hinted to prevail
with them to do what the .Safety of the Back Inhabitants
requires & without which they may expend considerable .Sums
of Money to very little purpose. I have been advised that
a Captain of the Virginia Regiment, which consists of about
500 Men with a Detachment of Sixty fell in lately with a party
of Indians by whom they were entirely defeated ; the Captain,
Lieutenant, & 15 Men being killed the Rest retired to a little
Sort of a Fort that was near the place where the Action
happened. Another Party of Indians have been attacked in
Virginia with better Success & a French Ensign that led them
being killed, there were found in a little Bag tied about his
Neck Instructions from Dumas the Commandant at Fort Du
Ouesne ordering him to make an Incursion with a party of 50
Savages to Conegochiegh (a place about 70 Miles on this Side
Fort Cumberland) & destroy the Magazine of Stores & Pro-
visions that has been left there ever since last Summer. This
inclines me to think that the French do not expect any Expedi-
tion will be carried on by us to the westward this Season
& that they are so anxious to prevent a possibility of it by
destroying the Ammunition & Stores that they may detach as
many of their Garrison as they can possibly spare to the North-

4o6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk. Ill ward wherc they cannot be ignorant that large preparations are
making against them. Some of the back-Inhabitants who have
escaped from the Ohio whither they had been carried by the
Savages report that the Artillery which fell into the Enemy's
hands last Summer have been carried up that River & that the
French purchase the Men which the Indians have taken from
the Frontiers of these Colonies & keep them constantly
employed in building Barracks for the Reception & Conven-
ience of the Indian Tribes that have lately come into their
Alliance & are to be employed this Summer in harrassing
& depopulating these provinces. The Cherokees or Carolina
Indians have I hear made great professions of Friendship to
the Commissioners that were sent from Virg^ to make a Treaty
& enter into a League with them but they will not declare
openly in our FavoCir, or commence hostilities against the
French or their Allies till we have an Army able to act offen-
sively & till we have constructed a strong Fort in their Country
for the Security of their wives & Children while their young
Men act in Conjunction with our Troops, in this the Commis-
sioners promised to gratify them, & Governor Dinwiddle has
ordered a Detachment from the Virg'' Regiment on that
Service.

I am &c.

[Sharpe to Albemarle.]

5"" of May 1756—
MyLd

Brother Will" has not neglected to inform me how kindly &
generously your Ldp interested yourself & how earnesdy you
endeavoured to do me Service on your Receipt of the Letter
which I took the Liberty to address to you from N York & I
should be inexcusable was I to let slip this first Opportunity
of making my thankful Acknowledgments & of assuring your
Ldp that tho your Solicitations had succeeded to the utmost of
my wishes yet I could not have been more sensibly affected
or more grateful than I am at present. My Brother acquaints
me with the Resolution taken to have some Regiments raised
from among the Germans in this & the Neighbouring Provinces
on a Supposition that those people will readily enlist under
Swiss Officers, I cannot venture to say whether such Regiments
will be compleated or not but I cannot help thinking that if I
had been impowered to raise a Regiment in this Province I
should have done it with greater Dispatch than the Swiss Offi-
cers will be able to do. I am glad to hear Lord Loudon is
appointed to take the Command of all His Majesty's Forces

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 407

in America & that he might be shortly expected with some Letter]
more British Regiments All His Majesty's American Subjects
earnestly pray for prosperous Gales for them & I most heartily
wish His Ldp might arrive time enough to make the Cam-
paign. The Regiments already here are I beleive near com-
pleat & I learn that they have begun their March towards
Oswego on Ontario Lake where they are to be employed this
Summer, while a Body of 8000 or 9000 Provincial Troops that
are raising in the Eastern Colonies make an Attempt on Crown
Point, Colonel Winsloe who was a Captain on the Carthagena
Expedition & commanded the N England Troops last year in
Nova Scotia is to have the Chief Command of all the Pro-
vincials, & S' Will™ lohnson is only to lead or concern himself
with the Indians who are to act in Conjunction with the Regi-
ments on the Lake. We have been in some pain for Oswego
this winter on account of some preparations that were said to
be making by the French at Frontenac to attack it before the
Garrison could be reinforced or receive Supplies of Provisions,
which it seems they were much in want of, but I hope that the
Danger is eer this over. The Virginians have expended very
large Sums of Money without being able to prevent the Incur-
sions & Barbarities of the Indians or even to raise 500 Men
for the Defence of their Frontiers ; & the Pensilvanians have
spent great part of ^60,000 this Winter to as little purpose &
as much more they may dispose of without doing the least
Service unless they would raise Men enough to act offensively.
About two Months ago General Shirley sent me a Commission
to take the Command of all the Forces that I could persuade
these Southern Colonies to raise for carrying on an Expedition
or making a Diversion to the Westward. As I found the sev-
eral Assemblies did not so readily come into the proposal as
the General seemed to have expected, & as His Excellency
had thought proper to order from Virginia all the Field Pieces
&c that were there & all indeed that were to be found in these
Southern Colonies, I returned him thanks for his kind Inten-
tion in sending me such a Commission, but intimated to him
that as the Colonies would do nothing & he had not impow-
ered me to draw for a Shilling the Reduction of Fort Du
Quesne would be impracticable without either Men Artillery
Arms Ammunition or Provisions, & nothing farther remains
for me to do than to urge our Assembly to grant a Sum of
Money for the Defence of their own Frontiers, tho that as has
been already hinted can never be effectually done while the
French remain Masters of the Ohio & consequently of all the
Indians to the Westward of these Provinces. We learn from
some of our back Inhabitants who were captivated by the
Indians but have lately made their Escape that the French at

4o8 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill Fort Du Quesne (whose numbers by what I can find are but
small) purchase those of our Men that the Indians take prison-
ers & keep them employed in building Barracks near the Fort
for the Reception of the Numerous Tribes of Indians that have
since the Action of the Monongahela come into their Alliance
& who are to be employed henceforward in harrassing &
depopulating these poor defenceless & infatuated Colonies —

Letter Bk. L [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p. 195

S"' May 1756 transmitted by Capt Lee.
S^

I am now favoured with your Letter of the 23*^ of December
together with His Lordship's Instructions dated the 27''' of
Oct' I had anticipated His Lordship's Desires about sending
Circular Letters to the Magistrates directing them to make an
Enquiry into the Conduct of the Roman Catholicks ; inclosed
you have a Copy of the Letter that was sent to them & the
answer of the Magistrates of one County, the Answers from
the several Counties are much to the same purport. His

p. 196 Lordship might depend that if these People offend they shall
not escape with Impunity but while their Behaviour is unexcep-
tionable it would be hard to take any Measures that may be
called persecution. The Lower House have thought proper to
address me again on that Subject, I have answered them with
all possible Temper & Coolness, but in such a manner as I
hope will convince them there was very Httle Room for an
Address of that Sort, & prevent their presenting such another
for the future. I find that in your last Letf to Col° Lloyd You
express a little Surprize at my having denied to issue pilot
Lycences (as it should seem Col° Lloyd had expressed him-
self) & give it as your Opinion that I might issue such at
present as has been usual if applied for. You will be pleased
to remember that in my Lett' dated the 8"' of August 1754 I
writ fully on this Affair & desired your farther Directions
thereon, inclosed you have an Extract of that Letter to which
I should be glad to be favoured with an Answer. You say I
might issue such Lycences as have been usual, I hope Col°
Lloyd acquainted you that none have ever been granted but
in the year 1734 or 35, & as His late Lordship would not pros-
ecute such persons as piloted without Lycence nor assist those
that were Lycenced Pilots in carrying on such prosecutions,
No Body thought proper afterwards to apply for a Lycence.
Now as I cannot think it is for His Ldp's Interest to attempt
any thing but what he is sure of carrying, as otherwise a
Clamour might be raised, & nothing gained to His Lordship

Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe. 409

or his Govern' I was unwilling to issue Pilot's Lycences which Letter Bk. i.
would be by the Enemies of the Govern' called an Innovation
till I was properly advised in what manner I should support
His Ldp's Right & carry his Instruction properly into Execu-
tion, In being thus cautious I hope you will believe I intended
nothing, but Good to His Ldp, but if you think I erred in
judgment, be pleased as I before desired you to signify his
Ldp's Will with respect to this matter & be assured that I shall P- '97
most punctually comply therewith. I have spoke to Col° Lloyd
about the Six Rental Books & Bills of Excha. which were sent
to him the lo"" Dec' 1754. he says they were all received, &
I have also delivered to him the Packetts that you sent inclosed
to me with your Letter of the 23"^ of Dec' 1755. I have
repeatedly mentioned to him what you have writ concerning
his Neglect &c & he has as often promised me that you should
have no farther Cause of Complaint, but I am a little afraid
that such frequent Hints from me may be disagreeable & that
he will be apt to think I busy myself more about what properly
belongs to him than His Lordship or yourself desire me.
As to what I mentioned some time since about reducing the
Farmer's or Sheriffs Sallaries for collecting the Rents to Six -p
C' it cannot be done at present, if ever a fair Opportunity shall
offer I hope His Ldp will beleive that I will not fail to obey his
Commands, & that I shall agreeable to his Orders take all
possible Care to prevent any Incroachments on any part of His
Ldp's Province. I might refer you to my Letters dated the
18''' of March & 17"' of April for an Account of our present
Situation, The Assembly is still sitting, on the Bill that was
prepared some of the Gent" of both Houses are holding
a Conference, what will be the Event of it I cannot predict.
As there are many Obstacles to be removed before they take
that Part which imposes a Tax on Lands into Consideration, I
am apt to think the Conference will break up & perhaps the
Assembly be prorogued without His Ldp's Mannour Lands
coming into Dispute. A few Days I think will determine the
Fate of this Bill & bring Matters to a Conclusion; but if we
do nothing for the protection of the Frontiers God knows what
will be the Consequence, Conegochiegh is already our most
Western Settlement & if the Inhabitants of that part of the
Country do not stand their Ground & I think there is little
Probability of their doing so, I beleive one might foretell
without the Spirit of Prophesy that all that part of Frederick p- 198
County that lies beyond Frederick Town will be abandoned
before this time twelve month at farthest. The Inhabitants of
all that part of Virg^ which lies Westward of the Shanadoe
River have I am told left their plantations; & notwithstanding
a great Part of the ;^6oooo. granted by the Pensilvanians has

41 o Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. been expended in building Forts & keeping Troops on the
Frontiers of that Province the Setlers have for many Score
Miles deserted their Houses & retired to the more populous
parts of that Colony. Several of the small Forts that were
built in Virg'' & Pens'" have been attacked by large Parties of
Indians, & some reduced ; Capt. Mercier of the Virg'' Regi-
ment with a Detachment of 60 Men from Fort Cumberland
was fallen upon & defeated about a fortnight ago many Miles
on this Side Fort Cumberland ; the Captain, His Lieutenant &
15 Men were killed & left to the Enemy the Rest of the
Detachment retired to a little Stoccado Fort near Cacapetion
which runs into Potowmack. two of Capt Dagworthy's Com-
pany that were with the abovementioned Detachment were
found tied to Trees & their Bodies most horribly mangled,
it is supposed that they were tied while living & put to the
most cruel Death. Ensign Bacon of Capt Dagworthy's Com-
pany was scalped as he was returning from Colo Cresap's to
the Fort ; & one of Colo Cresap's Sons who put himself at the
head of a party of Voluntiers & went in pursuit of the Indians
is also killed. At present the Garrison at Fort Cumberland
consists of no more than 150 Men, 30 of the Carolina Com-
pany & the Rest of the Virg'' Regiment which consists of
about 450. I cannot learn that the Pens'* Assembly have as yet
come to any Resolution neither can I hear certainly whether
the Virginians have determined to raise any more Troops.
Governor Dinwiddle has informed me that the Commis-
sioners which he had sent to the Cherokee Nation advise him
p. 199 that those Indians make strong professions of Friendship but
will not take up the Hatchet against the French or join any of
the English Troops till we have built a strong Fort among
them for the Protection & Security of their Wives & Children ;
in this Governor Dinwiddle has promised to gratify them &
sent a Command of 60 Men to build such a Fort. The French
it seems have made a Settlement within a few Days March
of their Town & been tampering with them to declare ag"
Us ; I hope this Step however will prevent that for the
present, tho unless His Majesty's Arms are successful this Cam-
paign I am afraid these people will not be long kept firm in our
Interest. We have for some time past been in pain for
Oswego which the French it was said were preparing to attack
before the Garrison could be reinforced or receive fresh Sup-
plies of Provisions, of which they were in want, but as we have
not received any late News from that Quarter I hope tlie
Danger is over for the present, & I hear that the Regiments
are now on their march thither. Lord Loudon we are told
is coming over with some more Regiments, their speedy
Arrival is prayed for by all His Majesty's American Subjects.
&c.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 411

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter

5'*" of May 1756.
My Ld

Inclosed is a Duplicate of the last Letter that I took the Lib-
erty to address to your Ldp since the writing of which I have
been honoured with your Lordship's Instructions dated the
sy"" of Octob. to which I hope Your Ldp will be persuaded
that due Obedience shall be paid & that no persons of a dif-
ferent Religion from that by Law established shall be encour-
aged, or ever escape with Impunity when they forget to behave
as becomes good & loyal Subjects. I had anticipated your
Ldp's Command to send Circular Lett"" to the Magistrates to
enquire into the Roman Catholick's Lives & Conduct & upon
the Report of all the Magistrates I can assure Your Ldp that
none of them have lately given just Cause of Offence, & I p- -°°
hope the Lower House of Assembly are so well convinced of
it that they will not offer any more Addresses on this Subject.
I have inclosed to M' Calvert a Copy of their last Address
which I presume will be submitted to your Lordship & I hope
your Ldp will not disapprove of the Answer that I returned.
The Assembly is still sitting & have not yet come to a final
Determination about the Supply Bill which alone has hitherto
engrossed their whole Attention. I know not when they will
come to a Conclusion but am in hopes that I shall at least be
able to judge what will be the Event of our Meeting before I
write by a Ship that is expected to sail in about 10 Days.
With regard to the present Condition of Your Ldp's Province
& the unhappy Situation of the Frontier Inhabitants I have
little to add to what I mentioned in my last Letter, those that
are exposed to immediate Danger want Spirit & Unanimity
& those that are remote seem to have but little Feeling for the
Miseries of their Fellow Subjects. Conegochiegh is at length
become the Frontier Settlement in Maryland & by what I can
learn Shanadoe River is almost the Western Limit of Virg''
Notwithstanding the Forts that have been built & garrisoned
along the Frontiers of Pensilvania the Indians continue to
make Incursions & the Country for a great many Miles within
the Forts is already abandoned. In Virg* several of their little
Forts have been attacked & some reduced & a Captain of the
Virg" Regiment with a Detachment of 60 men was about a
fortnight ago defeated by a large party of Indians about 20
Miles on this Side Fort Cumberland, the Captain Lieutenant
& 15 of the Detachment were killed the rest retired to a little
Fort that happened to be near the place where the Action hap-
pened. Another Party of Indians have been attacked by some
Virginia Planters with better Success the party was led or com-

412 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

manded by a French Ensign who was killed & in a little Bag
that was tied about his Neck were found some Instructions
from the Commandant of Fort Du Quesne of which I inclose
your Ldp a Copy. Capt. Dagworthy who commands the
Maryland Company has lately lost his Ensign & a Son of
Colonel Cresap's who went with a party of Voluntiers in pur-
suit of the Indians is also killed. We are told that a Body of
French & Indians have lately attacked Oswego but without
Success & that they are again retired to Frontenac. The
Regiments We hear are on their March for Oswego & I hope
the Provincials are also e'er this in Motion towards Crown
Point. I am sorry the Persons I employed have been unable
to put it in my power to send your Ldp the Partridges that I
promised by this Ship, they tell me t'was impossible to catch
any because they had paired but as soon as their Young come
abroad, I shall have a Covey or two taken, which shall be care-
fully sent agreeable to your Ldp's Desire —

[Rules for settling Rank.]

George R.

Whereas doubts may arise with regard to the Rank, and
Precedence, to be observed, between the Commander in Chief,
Generals, and other Officers of Our Forces in America, and
the Governors, Lieutenant Governors, and Presidents of the
Council of Our Several Provinces & Colonies; In order to Fix
the same, and to Prevent all disputes. We do hereby declare,
that it is Our Will and Pleasure, that the following Rules be
observed with Respect to the Rank & Precedence of the said
Persons in America Viz'

I" The Commander in Chief of Our Forces, by Commission
under Our Great Seal of Great Britain.

2^ CaptainsGeneral,& Governors in Chief of Our Provincies
and Colonies, when in their Respective Governments, as
appointed by Commission under Our Great Seal of Great
Britain.

3'' General Officers upon the Staff.

4"' Captains General and Governors in Chief of Our Prov-
inces & Colonies when out of their Respective Governments.

S""" Lieutenant Governors & Presidents of Council, when
Commanders in Chief of Our Provinces & Colonies in their
Respective Governments

G'*" Colonels

7"" Lieutenant Governors and Presidents of Council, when
Commanders in Chief of Our Provinces and Colonies, out of
their Respective Governments.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 413

S"' Lieutenant Governors of Proprietary Governments when Letter Bk.
in their Respective Governments.

9"* Lieutenant Governors of Our Provinces and Colonies,
not being Commanders in Chief, out of their Respective
Govern"

10. Governors of Charter Colonies, when in their Respective
Colonies.

1 1'*" All Field Officers under the Rank of Colonels

1 2"" Lieutenant Governors of Proprietary Governments out
of their Respective Governments

1 3. Governors of Charter Colonies, out of their Respective
Colonies.

All Captains General & Governors in Chief of Our Prov-
inces and Colonies to take Rank, according to the dates of
their Comiss^

All Lieutenant Governors of Our Provinces and Colonies
the same.

All Lieutenant Governors of Proprietary Governments the
same

Governors of Charter Colonies according to the date of their
Charters.

Given at our Court at Kensington this seventh day
of May in the Twenty Ninth year of Our Reign
By His Majesty's Command

H. Fox

[Rules for Settling Rank.] Original.

George R.

Whereas some doubts have arisen with Regard to the Rank
and Command, which the General and Field Officers of the
Troops raised by the Governors of Our Provinces in North
America, should have, when loind, or serving together, with
our Regular Forces, in our said Provinces ; In order to fix the
same, and to Prevent all disputes on that Account, We do
hereby declare, that It is our Will and Pleasure, that all
General and Field Officers, serving by Commission from the
Governors, Lieutenant or deputy Governors or Presidents of
the Council, for the time being, of our said Provinces, shall take
Rank, as Eldest Captains on all detachments. Courts Martial,
or other duty where in the said General and Field Officers
may be employed in North America, in Conjunction with our
Regular Forces Given at our Court at Kensington the 1 2"' day
of May 1756 in the Twenty Ninth Year of our Reign

By His Majestys Comm''
H Fox

Rank of Provincial General

& Field Officers in North America

414 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill [Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

10"' of May. 1756
S^

The alarming Accounts that we have lately received from
the Frontiers of Virg'' & which by your Letter dated the 29"*
of April are confirmed give me great concern but I hope the
Steps you have taken will in some sort put a Stop to such
Incursions tho that can never be effectually done till a sufficient
Body of Troops can be formed to march & annoy the Enemy
in their own Country & when that will be I know not unless
Troops are sent from Europe to these Colonies for I hear the
Pensilvanians have not come to any Resolution to grant farther
Supplies nor do they seem much disposed to raise any Men to
be marched out of that province. Our Assembly is still sitting,
some Gent" from each House have been more than a week
conferring on the Subject Matter of a Supply Bill, I beleive
there will be one passed but by what I can find t'will be framed
in such a manner as to contribute little to the Safety of the
Province or promote His Majesty's Service. A Fort it seems
is to be built on the North Mountain about 10 Miles above the
Mouth of Conegochiegh, & 200 Men are to be raised to garrison
it & patroll or range on our Frontiers; in Case Troops were
to be raised by yours & the neighboring Colonies to act in
Conjunction & together form a sufficient Body of Men to act
offensively or carry on an Expedition to the Westward I am to
have Liberty to raise more Men in Maryland & to expend
^25,000 on such Expedition. By what I can learn your Reg-
iment does not yet amount to 500, which I am afraid are not
found more than enough to garrison Fort Cumberland & keep
open the Communication between that place & the Inhabitants;
if you are of a different Opinion or should your Assembly
enable you to compleat the Regiment or support any consid-
erable Number of Troops I shall be much obliged to you for
informing me by Express what Number you can engage to
furnish for an Expedition that I might give Directions accord-
ingly, for as I have already hinted I cannot tho our Bill should
pass proceed to raise more than 200 Men before I have
received assurances that they will be joined by a certain &
proportionable Number from Virg^ & one or more of the
Neighbouring provinces. I have not heard that much Mischief
has been lately done on our Frontiers but if there had I am
convinced by Experience that t'would be impossible for me to
get the Militia to move & oppose the Enemy. At present
Capt Dagworthy's Company & two or three Parties of Rangers
are posted at & about Conegochiegh to keep the Inhabitants
a little easy & together till the Assembly come to some Con-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 415

elusion on the Matters that I have recommended to their Letter Bk.iii
Consideration, but I am glad you have taken such a Step to
secure the Cherokees in our Interest & hope twill have a good
Effect. What you say of Gov' Glen's Conduct does not a litde
surprize me. The publick papers from Phil'' will shew you
what is doing to the Northward. I am advised from England
that Lord Loudon is coming over to command in Chief in
America, that some Regiments are ordered from England
& Ireland to N York & that 4000 are to be raised in these
Provinces & to be commanded by Swiss German & British
Officers intermixed. War was not declared the 20'*' of March.
General Shirley is or will be appointed Gov"^ of lamaica.
As soon as our Assembly have come to a final Determination
I will send you Advice thereof & in the mean time am &c

[Sharpe to Morris.]

16"' of May 1756

This is to inform you that both Houses of our Assembly did
after having sat thereon 1 2 weeks yesterday agree upon a Bill
for granting _^4o,ooo for His Majesty's Service part of which
Sum is appropriated for the building & garrisoning a strong
Fort on the North Mountain (which it is determined shall be
our Westernmost Frontier) three thousand pounds for the
Cherokees or Southern Indians in Case either of the neigh-
bouring Colonies shall think proper to send Commissioners in
Conjunction with ours to treat with those people, &i £2^,000
towards carrying on any Expedition which shall be undertaken
by Pens" Virg^' this Province & any other conjoindy. Inclose
you a Copy of that Clause of the Act & shall be obliged to you
for acquainting me whether your Assembly will as that of
Virg'' has done contribute their quota towards carrying on any
such Expedition & whether any Commissioners will be sent by
you to hold a Treaty with the Southern Indians I am &c

[Shirley to Sharpe.] Original.

Albany May 16. 1756.
Sir,

Three Days ago I was favour'd with your Letter dated the
lo"" of April inclosing one from Colonel Washington to me
dated the 4"" together w''' another from yourself dated the 14""
of the same month.

I am sorry to find from the Accounts given me in your
Honour's Letters, & others from Gov' Dinwiddle and Gov"

41 6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Morris, of the dangerous Situation of the three Provinces under
your respective Governments, and the proceedings of the
Assemblies within them, tliat there seems to be not the least
Appearance of any provision's being made for prosecuting the
propos'd Expedition under your Command ag'' the French
Settlem" on the Ohio, the succeeding in w''*' it seems to me,
would deliver you in the most effectual manner, from the Dis-
tresses, under w'^'' Virginia and Pensilvania now labour from the
Ravages of the French and their Indians.

I can't find that the Assemblies of those two Provinces have
any thing further in view than the bare protection of their own
Frontiers ag'' the growing Incursions of the Enemy ; and as to
your own Assembly, they are upon the point of disbanding the
only Company they have at a time when his Maj^' Fort Cum-
berland within the limits of the Province of Maryland, & several
of his Majy'' Stores in it, is in danger of falling into the Enemy's
Hands. —

As to my taking upon me, Sir, to throw the whole Expence
of supporting an Expedition from the Western Colonies to the
Ohio upon the Crown, after his Maj^ hath been at so great an
one in the Reg" he has already rais'd here, & sent, & is still
sending over ; and whilst the New England Colonies, & those
of New York & New Jersey, whose Abilities don't exceed those
of the Western Colonies, have besides raising Troops for the
defence of their own Frontiers, rais'd upwards of 9000 Men for
the asserting his Maj>= just Rights & Dominions upon the Lake
Champlain, & the Lake Ontario, &c, it is what I can't justify ;
especially now we are appriz'd from publick Acc*^ in News
papers, & private Letters from England, that the Arrival of
Lord Loudon may be soon expected here with the Chief Com-
mand of his Maj5''= Forces in North America.

I am likewise in hourly Expectation of receiving his Maj^^
Commands by General Webb concerning the plan of Opera-
tions, he would have prosecuted this year, w"'' is another Reason
why I can't send you a peremptory Answer to the points pro-
pos'd to me in your two Letters, before I receive those Orders:
But your Honour may depend upon my sending it to you, as
soon as they arrive.

In the mean time I beg you would be pleas'd to acquaint
Col: Washington, that the Appointment of him to the second
Command in the propos'd Expedition upon the Ohio, will
give me great Satisfaction & pleasure ; that I know no Provin-
cial Officer upon this Continent, to whom I would so readily
give it as to himself; that I shall do it, if there is nothing in
the King's Orders, w''*' I am in continual Expectation of, that
interferes w"' it; & that I will have the pleasure of answering
his Letter immediately after my receiving them.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 417

I have only to add, that upon Gov' Dobbs's first acquainting
me, ab' four months ago, w"' his Assembly's having rais'd three
Companies to be employ'd in that part of his Maj'" Service,
w"'' he should think best, & writing to me for Directions con-
cerning their Destination,! desir'd him to send them to act w"*
the King's Troops upon Lake Ontario; But on my determin-
ing to recommend an Expedition upon the Ohio to the West-
ern Colonies, I order'd them to be sent upon the Service under
your Command: You will perceive by the inclos'd Extract of
his Letter to me dated 23'' March ; that he was then acquainted
with those Orders thro' M' Dinwiddle ; But for the Reasons
therein mention'd was determin'd to send his three Companies
to join me, & not the Forces to be employ'd upon the Ohio ;
so that I am affraid you will be disappointed in your Expecta-
tion of them to Act with you.

I am with great Regard & Esteem,
Sir, Your Honour's most Humble
and most Obedient Servant
W Shirley

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter

p. 201
27"' of May 1756
My Ld

As I have writ by this same Opportunity to M'' Calvert &
acquainted him very particularly with the Event of our long
Session of Assembly & every other matter that concerns Your
Ldp's Interest or the Safety of y' Province which I could pos-
sibly enlarge on at this time I shall not trouble your Ldp with
any long or minute Detail of the Measures that have been
taken, but leave it entirely to M' Calvert to lay an Account of
those Transactions before your Ldp & I hope the part I have
acted therein will appear in such a light as will incline Y' Ldp
to approve of my Conduct. As the Sum of Money which is
appropriated in the Bill that I have herewith transmitted
towards carrying on an Expedition to the Westward is not to
be used or touched unless the neighbouring Colonies will also
contribute their proportionable & respective Quotas for that
Service & as Governor Dobbs informs me that all the Troops p. 203
which have been raised in N Carolina are at Gen' Shirley's
Request transported to N York & as the Pensilvanians have
not & are not likely to grant any farther Supplies I give over
all thoughts of seeing any Expedition undertaken in these
parts this Summer especially as we have no Artillery & are
very ill provided with Arms & Ammunition, neither could
Magazines be now laid in time enough for a Campaign nor a

41 8 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Sufficient Body of Men collected before the Season would be
too far advanced. Affairs being thus situated I am preparing
to set off for the Frontiers to put them in the best Posture of
Defence that the Law will permit & have a strong Fort con-
structed on the North Mountain ; I learn that all the Forces to
the Northw"* are in motion towards the places of their respective
Destination but unless the Troops that We are bid to expect
from England arrive time enough to join them I am not with'
some Apprehensions that the Campaign will not be closed so
successfully & happily as we all wish. The Virginians are
about to compleat their Regiment commanded by Col" Wash-
ington with Drafts from the Militia of that Colony but I do
not conceive that it will be possible for them to attempt any
thing more this Summer than oppose the Incursions of the
Savages & prevent the entire Depopulation of their Frontier
Counties. I have not heard that any Mischief has been lately
done in either Virg* or Pens^ but as it is the Custom of Indians
to return home after an Engagement for a Short time this is
easily accounted for & We daily expect to have them upon the
Frontiers in greater Numbers, however I hope our people will
now be in some Measure prepared for them & that they will
not be able to repeat their Barbarities in this province with
Impunity. I beleive I shall return again to Annapolis in about
a month when I shall do myself the honour in another Letf to
desire that Y' Ldp will beleive me to be

¥■■ Ldps most devoted
& most humb Serv'

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

27"" of May 1756. transmitted by Capt M'^Gahen —
S^

I am now to inform you that the Assembly is at length
broke up after having sat almost twice as long as ever an
Assembly has been known or heard to have done before. You
will see a List of the Laws that were enacted on the Day of
Session in the inclosed Gazette to which I also beg leave to
refer you for my Proroguing Speech. The Journal of Accounts
has been agreed to by both Houses & a Levy Bill is passed to
pay off all the Publick Debts, so that Bone of Contention at
least no longer exists & thereby the Difficulty of finding Ways
& means to raise money hereafter for His Majesty's Service is
I hope removed as a Poll Tax will be obvious for that pur-
pose. As soon as the Laws can be printed I shall take Care
to send them with Remarks as usual tho none of them are of
very great importance or of an extraordinary Nature except

Correspojidence of Governor Sharpe. 419

the Supply Bill which I will get transcribed time enough to Letter mv
transmit it herewith. In my Letter of the 5"^ Inst I informed
you that the Two Houses had agreed on a Conference & that
I apprehended there were too many Exceptionable Clauses in
the I3ill to be ever got over, however after a warm Engagement
between the Conferees which lasted more than a Week the
Lower House amended the Parts that had been principally
objected to & left no very exceptionable Clauses unless it be
that which subjects His Ldp's Mannours & other demised
Lands to the Payment of the Land Tax which as you will see
is made one of the Funds for sinking the Money, & unless
that Clause also be thought to deserve such an Epithet which
makes the Lands of Roman Catholicks liable to the Payment
of a double Tax as is done by the Statutes of England. A Day
or two before the Bill was sent to the Upper House there was
a Petition left for me at the Council Chamber subscribed by
some of the principal Roman Catholicks in the Country desiring
me to dissent to the Bill (which they said lay before me) because
it imposed a double Tax on the Lands of all Persons of their p 204
Persuasion. I could not help thinking that this Step was a
little extraordinary as they had heard & known that the Lower
House had or were about to insert such a Clause in the Supply
Bill at least 8 weeks before, & had never put a Petition into
that House nor desired to be heard against the Bill there, tho
they had been advised so to do, had they followed such Advice
their Application afterwards to the Superiour Branches of the
Legislature would have been regular & decent, & no more than
would have been expected from them, but to pay no manner of
Regard to that Branch of the Legislature where the Bill was
taking its Rise, & knowing it would be thought a little irregular
for the Upper House to offer Amendments to a Money Bill to
make no Objection before it came before them, & then to shew
that they relied on the Governor to dissent to the Bill, was
proceeding in such a manner as could only tend to give
Clamorous & Factious people an Occasion of representing the
Governor & Council as Favourers of Popery, which surely is a
Charge that they nor any F'riends to the Govern' should at
such a time give the least Room for. I send you a Copy of
the Petition abovementioned & of the answer that was by my
Order given thereto, & tho I would have prevented such a
Taxation as they complain of had it been possible yet I do not
think that the Injustice of it is so great as tliey would represent
it, nor is such as ought in my Opinion to be set in Competition
with the Lives of hundreds or perhaps with the preservation of
the whole Province. It might be observed that they are &
have been for a long time excused from attending Musters as
Militia (a Priveledge which they enjoy in common with the

420 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Magistrates) & that persons of the Roman Catholick persua-
sion are so far from being allowed any Liberties or Priviledges
in His Majesty's several Colonies that they are absolutely
excluded or daily persecuted, but this matter I submit entirely
to His Ldp's & your own Judgment & Determination with this
Remark only that if nothing had been at this time done for the
Security & Defence of the Frontier Inhabitants, the Value of
theirs as well as of all Estates in the Province would have sunk
more in two years than the Tax which is imposed on them
respectively will amount to in the five years for which the Act
p. 205 is made to endure. Concerning that Part of the Bill which
imposes the Land Tax I presume Col° Lloyd will write to you
very particularly as it is a matter which in some Sort relates to
himself & which as Agent he ought to be most intimately
acquainted with ; I thought it highly necessary that he should
be present in the Upper House when the Affair came under
their consideration «& therefore I writ to him & insisted on his
coming over before the Conference was begun or agreed to.
I submitted to the Council Extracts of the Letters in which I
mentioned to His Ldp or yourself the late Disputes between
Governor Morris & his Assembly & also your Answer thereto
in your Letter dated the 24''' of Oct' & desired they would
maturely consider the Affair & give me their Advice thereon.
Col" Lloyd enlarged on the Losses His Ldp suffered last year
on Account of these unhappy Disturbances & the distracted &
defenceless Condition of the Province & undertook to shew
that His Ldp's proportion of the Tax about to be imposed by
the Bill would be far short of the Interest of the Money that he
lost last year, if then said he nothing be done for the Security
of the Province (& that nothing would be done if the Bill had
been refused on Account of that Clause was evident) Pur-
chasers of Land will be much fewer this year than they were
last, & continue to decrease till effectual measures are taken
for our Defence ; His Ldps Revenue from Lands will conse-
quently diminish in proportion, & so His Ldp will in effect be
a much greater Loser by the Bill's being rejected because it
imposes a Tax of perhaps _;^8o a year for five years on His
Ldps Lands, than if it was to pass & make His Ldp liable to
the payment of double the Sum : It was also argued that
such Lands as are held by Tenants under the Crown in Eng-
land are subjected to the poundage there, & that by inserting in
all the Leases as they come to be renewed a Clause to oblige
the Tenant to pay all Taxes &c the Burthen might in great
measure be taken from His Ldp. It was observed that the
matter under Consideration was by no means similar with the
late Cause of Dispute in Pens^ for that the Pens^ Assembly
insisted that all the Proprietaries real & personal Estate there

Correspondence of Goveryior Sharpe. 421

should be taxed by Assessors elected by & from among the Letter Bk. i.
people who may not always be upright & impartial Men, but p. 206
that as the Contents of His Ldp's Mannours & Demised
Lands were or would be certainly known there could be no
room for iniquitous Estimations or unequal Assessments.
As these Arguments did not appear to be without Weight, in
Obedience to one of His Ldps Instructions I heard all the
Gentlemen give their reasons in support of their respective
Opinions, & as they were all unanimous that my rejecting the
Bill on Acco' of the Land Tax would in reality be exceedingly
prejudicial to His Lordship's Interest, & as they all with one
Voice advised & pressed me not to refuse the Bill as it was
agreed on by both Houses but to assent thereto, I was pre-
vailed on to pass it into a Law & hope that in doing so I shall
not expose myself to His Ldp's Displeasure, but that my
Conduct therein will meet with His Ldp's & your Approbation.
As I shall in a seperate paper observe on every part of the af**
Law & transmit such paper of Remarks together with this I
shall in my Letter take no farther notice thereof but proceed
to explain a little my Speech to the Assembly at their Pro-
rogation. You know that during M' Ogles Gov' before he
was recalled a Faction sprung up in the province that has in
some measure existed even to this time. In what manner the
Govern' was attacked in 1739 & what methods were then &
have been since taken to persuade the people that the Duties
of 14'' -p Tonn & 1/ p Hhd have been & are still raised illegally
you are not ignorant ; Attempts I am told have been lately
made by some to get a Subscription for the Support of an
Agent to bring these matters to a Hearing before His Majesty
in Council, & to those Attempts I alluded in the latter part of
my Speech ; I hope it will put an entire Stop to every Pro-
ceeding of that Sort but lest it should not I have got made
by my Secretary a full & particular State or historical
Account of all the Revenue Laws that have from time
to time been made for the Support of Govern' to enable
him to do this he had free Access to & leave to peruse
& examine all the Record Books & lournals of the Upper &
Lower Houses as well as the Councils proceedings & I think
according to the Extracts or Quotations from them respectively
& very natural Reasoning thereon His Ldp has as clear invio-
lable & indisputable a Title & Right to all the Monies that he
receives as any Person can possibly have to receive the Rents
or Income of any Paternal or purchased Estate. I cannot help
thinking that if the abovementioned Account or State was to
be laid before the Lower House the most seditious & malevo- p. 207
lent would be silenced & ashamed to open their Mouths again
on that Subject, for if the Quotations are fair & exact the Reas-

42 2 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. oning I think must be conclusive & should they deny or ques-
tion the Justness of the Quotation M' Ridout has taken
Minutes & References so that the Original Books & Pages
can be easily recurred to. however as I think it would be best
to confute every Antagonist or Adversary as effectually as pos-
sible & shew them that all their Arguments have been also
duly considered & regarded, I could wish that His Ldp would
permit you to submit the whole Book herewith sent (containing
a true State of the Revenue Laws &c from the first Settlement
of the Province to the present time, some Addresses from the
Lower House & Report of their Committee concerning them
& the late Governors Answers) to some Lawyer for His
Opinion which if returned me before the Assembly meet again
might if then thought necessary be laid before them to be
entered at large in the Journal of their proceedings & recorded
for the Satisfaction & Conviction of them & Posterity. But
this Matter I humbly submit to His Lordship & yourself that
such Steps may be taken therein as to you shall seem proper.
I am sorry to find that M' Steuart still persists in his Clamours
against the Act made in July 1754 that imposes a Duty on
Servants. I have writ to the Naval Officers & caudoned them
against collecting or receiving any Duties that are not imposed
by Acts of Parliament or Assembly, but I doubt they will
scarcely decline collecting the Duty of 20/ p Poll on every
Convict imported that shall be sold for Seven years as they
seem to think themselves obliged by their Oath to collect such
Duty. Had I forbid them in positive Terms to forbear Col-
lecting it, t'would have shewn that I knew they had already
done so & I could not have recommended it to the Assembly
to repeal that Part of the Act without discovering a Conscious-
ness of the Duty's being imposed contrary to an Act of Parlia-
ment, besides I am throughly convinced that if I had desired
it or seemed vastly anxious to have the Clause repealed t'would
have given the Lower House some Degree of Satisfaction as
they would have concluded that the Govern' was distressed
p. 208 about it. however I have taken Care to have it excepted in
the Bill that is now passed & hope that will be enough to
satisfy M' Steuart, if it does not & His Ldp thinks that it will
involve him in the least trouble or difficulty, I see no Cause
why he should not dissent to the Act & give the Attorney
General's Opinion as his Reason for so doing. A considerable
Part of the _;!?'6ooo is already raised, & as the other Funds will
I beleive raise the Money before the time limited for sinking
the Paper Money if the Assembly will upon His Ldp's dissent-
ing to this continue them by another Law, I do not apprehend
that the Province will receive any prodigious Detriment from
His Ldp's Dissent, but M' Steuart may be assured that the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 423

Inhabitants will resent such Conduct in him & I am persuaded Letter Bk.i.
he will in a few years have little reason to applaud himself for
the Warmth he has shewn on this Occasion. In your Letter
dated the 25 of Oct' You were pleased to recommend it to me
to make some Provision for M^ Wolstenholme by any place of
about ^100 a year which might suit his Situation, I am satis-
fied M' Wolstenholme is well convinced that I should never
want inclination to do him Service was it in my power. I have
offered him a Sheveralty the only Office almost you know that
I can have an Opportunity of giving but he has always declined
accepting it; for my part I know no place that can suit him
unless it be a Naval Office & I submit it entirely to yourself
whether in case of any Vacancy he shall be appointed to one of
them. As Cover' Dobbs informs me that all the Troops which
have been raised in North Carolina have by Gen' Shirley's
Desire been transported by water to New York, as the Pens*
Assembly have not & will not grant any more Supplies & as
the Act lately passed in this Province directs that none of the
^25,000 granted for carrying on an Expedition shall be emitted
or used unless both the Provinces of Virg-^ & Pens^ will furnish
or engage to furnish their respective & proportionable Quota's
of Men & money for that Service, I give over all thoughts of
seeing any Expedition undertaken or carryed on in these parts
against our common Enemy this year & am therefore preparing
to set off for the Frontiers to put this province in the best
posture of Defence that the Bill will permit me & to construct p- ^09
a strong Fort on the North Mountain at least to oversee for a
while & put the Officers in such a way & give them such
Directions as will enable them to compleat it in the best manner
& render it most defensible ; This Journey of mine 1 think the
more necessary as Engineers or persons of Military Experience
& Skill are not to be found in this part of the World & as
Fort Cumberland & the little places of Defence that have been
built in the two Neighbouring Colonies are by no means such
as I would have built on the Frontiers of this Province. The
Virginians have I hear at length determined by Drafts from
the Militia to compleat the Regiment that has been so long
raising & does not yet consist of 500 Men. It might be hoped
that when full the said Regiment will be able to prevent such
frequent Incursions into that Province but I beleive if they had
determined to raise twice the Number of Men by Drafts from
the Militia their Commander would not do much Execution in
the Enemy's Country or beyond the Mountains at least for this
Summer. We are told that all the Regiments & Troops to
the Northward are in Motion towards the places of their
respective Destination but as it is said that the Regulars are
far from compleat & that the Commissaries or Somebody have

424 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. been a little dilitory in filling the Magazines I am not without
fears that the Event of this Campaign will not be quite agree-
able to our wishes unless the Succours expected from England
or Ireland shall speedily arrive —

I [Sharpe to John Sharpe.]

2f^ of May I7s6.

I am now to acknowledge the Receipt of a Letter you
favoured me with the i" of lan^ but as I have writ a long
Letter to B' W" that might serve as an answer to it I shall at
present take no farther Notice thereof than to offer & desire
you to accept my most grateful Acknowledgments for your
kind anxiety & generous Endeavours to promote & serve me
beyond what I could desire ask or expect. After sitting 13
Weeks both Houses of our Assembly have agreed on & I have
passed an Act for granting the Sum of ^40,000 Currency or
^25,000 Ster'^ for His Majesty's Service. Eleven of the forty
are appropriated to build & support a Fort on the North
Mountain at present our Westernmost Frontier tho more than
60 Miles on this Side Fort Cumberland & as many to the
Eastward of some Setdements that our People had made before
these Disturbances happened & continued on some time after
General Braddock's Defeat, to Garrison this Fort & range on
the Frontiers two Companies of 100 Men each are to be raised
& kept up till next February. The Remainder of the Money
granted is to be expended in carrying on an Expedition to the
westward & in making Presents to the Southern Indians, but as
the latter is not to be done unless the Neighbouring Govern-
ments appoint Commissioners to treat with & make presents to
the Indians also, nor any Troops to be raised in this Province
for an Expedition till I have received Assurances from Gov-
ernors Dinwiddie & Morris that their respective Assemblies will
grant a proportionable & reasonable Quota of Men & Money
for that Service I am apt to think that the whole Sum granted
except the ^i 1000 abovementioned will remain in Bank till I
convene the Assembly again next Spring. I do not apprehend
that any part of the Supply Bill will be disagreeable or objected
to by His Lordship unless it be a Clause which imposes the
same Tax on His Ldp's Mannour Lands & such others as are
leased out as it does on the Lands which have been granted
away or patented by the Lords Proprietary & are held & occu-
pied by the Inhabitants of this Province. As I have some
reason to think that your good Services will be absolutely
necessary to reconcile His Lordsp to this Bill tho in fact the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 425

Preservation of His Province & Tenants much depended on its Letter Bk. in
being passed I will give you as particular an Account as
possible of our Situation & the Circumstances that induced me
to give it my Assent & hope I shall suggest some Arguments
to you that may be urged in my lustification. You know that
I have several times met, but in vain pressed the Assembly to
grant Supplies because His Ldp peremptorily forbad me to let
the Ordinary Lycence Fines be mentioned as one of the Funds
for sinking the money ; to the Dispute concerning them you
are no Stranger, therefore I shall only observe that they were
mortgaged in the late War to repay some Money that was then
granted towards carrying on the Expedition ag-' Carthagena
& the intended one against Canada & that they still remain
mortgaged for the payment of that money. The Assembly
knew that His Ldp was averse to their being again appro-
priated otherwise than to his own private Use & therefore
made a point of mortgaging them for a longer term. This
Resolution of theirs & His Ldp's Instructions above mentioned
had occasioned five fruitless Sessions & much exasperated the
people ag" My Ld & his Govern' Upon the Receipt of
Instructions last winter to wave that matter I again convened
the Assembly & laying before them the plan of Operations
concerted at New York once more exhorted them to exert
themselves & grant large Supplies. As to the Quantum they
seemed to Comply with my Requisition by voting ^40,000 for
the Services I had desired them to provide for, but as some of
the Leading Men in the House were averse to giving more
than a small Sum for the immediate protection of our own
Frontiers tho they could not directly oppose the Vote & Sen-
timents of a great Majority yet as it is a new & difficult Matter
to raise large Sums in this Province, t'was easy for them to get
such Funds proposed & insisted on for raising the Money as
would damn the Bill & they hoped that by such a Step a
Clamour would be raised ag'' the Govern' or that the Sum
voted might afterwards be reduced & made as small as them-
selves wished & desired. Accordingly when a Committee of
Ways & Means was appointed & Orders given for framing a
Bill among other exceptionable Matters a Land Tax was pro-
posed by these Gent" & that all His Ldp's Mannours &
Reserved Lands should be subjected to the payment of it as
his Tenants the Inhabitants Lands are was carried by a great
Majority. You may be assured the flaming Patriots or rather
inflaming Demagogues on this Occasion made great Use
of the Arguments that have by the Pensilvanians been urged
to M' Morris ; in short at the End of 7 weeks the Bill made
its Appearance & was sent to the Upper House in such a Form
as was expected & was by them returned again after some

426 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill Days With E negative & their Objections in writing to many
Parts of it. A Conference was afterwards agreed on by both
Houses & after a warm Engagement between the Conferees
that lasted above a week the principal Obstacles were removed
& the Bill assented to. The Burgesses had at first as I before
hinted insisted that all His Ldp's mannour & Reserved Lands
should be made liable to the Tax & none exempted but such
as remain still vacant ; but to give you a clear Idea of what is
meant by Mannour, Reserved & Vacant Lands it will perhaps
be necessary to inform you that at times the Lords Proprietaries
or their Governors have on an Appearance of Copper or other
Ores or on Account of the extraordinary Fertility of the Soil or
their Contiguity to Towns or His Ldp's Mannour's ordered a
Reserve to be entered on certain Tracts of Land, or in other
words forbad those Officers who are impowered to sell grant
or make away such Tracts on any Consideration whatever ;
these differ from the Mannour Lands in this that the latter are
regularly & properly surveyed & the Description & Bounds of
them entered in the publicic Records, but the Reserved Lands
have never been surveyed or laid out, are not distinguished or
known by proper Names as the Mannours are but are in the
Records described only in general Terms or words " as all the
Land that lies between such & such Hills or Rivers or between
two Roads for its Breadth & so many Miles for its Length &c "
however parts or Parcells of these Reserves are leased & His
Ldp's Agent receives Rent for the same as he does for those parts
of the Mannours that are let to Tenants. Lands that are unoc-
cupied or have never been taken up but are by His Ldp's
Land Officers to be sold to any that will purchase them at the
Common Rates are called Vacant Lands, from such His Ldp
receives no immediate Revenue & Profit, neither did our
Assembly offer to burthen them tho the Pensilvanians had
endeavoured to make their Proprietaries vacant Lands liable
to the Tax that was proposed to be laid in that Province.
Upon the Conference that I have already mentioned the Lower
House receeded from what they had at first insisted on so far,
that instead of Taxing All His Ldp's Reserved Lands they
agreed that only those Parts of them that are actually leased
out & pay Rent to His Ldp shall be made liable & that the
Rest shall be deemed vacant & exempted Accordingly, but the
whole mannours according to the true Contents of each
whether tenanted or unoccupied are subjected to the payment
of the Tax, in the same manner & form that the Inhabitants'
Lands are, I think the Annual Rents that His Ldp receives
from such Parts of his mannour & Reserved Lands as are
leased amount to about ^Ifrl, & it is supposed that His Ldp's
Proportion of the Tax imposed will in the five years for which

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 427

the Act is to endure be about ^400 Currency. As many ofLetterBk.iii
the Back Inhabitants abandoned their Plantations on Account
of the Incursions of the Indians & the unhappy distracted &
defenceless Condition of the Province deterred people from
taking up Land or making Settlements as usual His Ldp's
Revenue from Lands was /1600 less last year than in the
preceeding, the Interest of which as His Ldp's Agent rightly
observes is more than his proportion of the Tax at present
imposed will amount to. Had the Assembly broke up at
this time without making some Provision for the Defence &
Security of the Frontiers it is more than probable, that the
Western Settlements for a great many Miles in Extent would
within these twelve Months have been deserted & thereby His
Ldp must necessarily have lost at least the Quit Rents of such
Lands which would be considerable, & besides scarcely any
purchasers would be found for Lands in the more populous
parts of the Province & that Fountain of Wealth would be
stopped & His Ldp's Land Office in effect shut up till the
Conclusion of this American War or the Reduction of Fort Du
Quesne & the Ohio Indians should render people's property
more secure. Was His Ldp's Case my own I am sure I should
never have hesitated a moment to contribute my Share with
the people to defend the province & annoy the Enemy, & I
am well convinced that if His Ldp had been on the Spot He
would have suffered his Estate to be much more burthened
than I have done ; but as His Ldp might possibly in England
think very differendy from what He would in America I am
not without some Apprehensions that this Step which at the
Importunity of his Friends I have taken will be censured as a
culpable Concession & subversive of His Ldp's Rights & pre-
rogatives as I was afraid after what happened in Pensilvania
last Summer between Gover' Morris & his Assembly that our
People would as usual follow the Quakers Example I sent all
their Messages Addresses &c to M' Calvert, acquainted him
with my Fears & desired His Ldp's particular Instructions for
my Conduct in Case the Assembly of this Province should on
their being pressed to grant Supplies follow the Track that
their Neighbours had marked out for them. Tho I have
received Instructions from My Lord on other Matters since my
Letters got home yet he has favoured me with none on that
Subject, but M' Calvert in a Letter that I have lately received
from him says " His Ldp does not doubt of your following &
guarding against any Invasion on His Rights similar in your
Defence on His behalf as Governor Morris has done for the
Proprietors of Pensilvania." by this I understand that His
Ldp is absolutely ag'' my suffering His Estate or property to
be subjected to any Burthen or Tax on any Account or Con-

428 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. .

.etterBk.iiisideration whatever; but if that be His Ldp's Sense & Resolu-
tion why should he not have sent me a particular & peremp-
tory Instruction to that purpose ? t'was what I sollicited & it
would have removed all my Scruples or Difificulties, perhaps it
would have been impolitick & prejudicial to His Ldp's Interest,
it might have given Rise to Clamours & inclined the people to
make Representations or Remonstrances, They may possibly
have called me in the Stile of the Pensilvanians an Odious
Instrument but yet I should have been no longer in uncer-
tainty, & as it is not thought expedient in such times as these
to leave any thing to the Discretion of a Governor or His
Council Laws should be given for their Guidance & Direction
that knowing their Duty they may act agreeable thereto.
When I saw there was some Probability of the Bills' passing
both Houses of Assembly I laid before His Ldp's Council
Extracts of my Letters to His Ldp & M' Calvert relative to
the Pensilvania Disputes together with M" Calvert's Answer
thereto & desired them to consult & advise me thereon. This
Caution the Importance of the Affair made necessary & I pre-
sume their Advice will be in some Sort my lustification. They
were Unanimously of Opinion if the Bill should in other
Respects be found unexceptionable, or so agreeable as that I
would not reject it on any other Account that I ought not to
refuse Enacting it into a Law merely because a small Tax was
to be thereby imposed on His Ldp's Mannours & demised
Lands : His Ldp's Agent spoke what is above said concern-
ing ^1600, lost or deficient last year & insisted that if Regard
was to be had to His Ldp's pecuniary Interest The Bill should
not be objected to. by some t'was argued that the matter in
question was not similar to that which had been the Cause of
Contention in Pensilvania ; that there was a wide Difference
between a pound Tax as was proposed in Pens" & a Land Tax
as was about to be laid here ; that the Pensilvanians had insisted
on the Proprietaries personal & real Estate in the Province
being assessed & taxed according to its Value estimated by
such Assessors as the People should elect; that the Contents
of His Ldp's Mannours & demised Lands were known &
recorded & that therefore no Injustice could be done him
by partial Assessors or Collectors, that it was evident the
Members of the Lower House being for the most part
remote from Danger would not let the Lives of a few Inhabit-
ants come in Competition with their Schemes & Views, &
that if no Concession was to be made on either Side, this
province would be as unhappy & wretched as that where all
the Inhabitants should class Self-Defence among the Crimina
Majora ; that from Mess'" Penns having made the Province or
People of Pens'' a present of ^5000 there was room to suspect

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 429

that Governor Morris had pushed Matters farther than was Letter Bk.iii
desired by his Superiours, or perhaps than was agreeable to the
Ministry or Parliament; that in case His Ldp was to be
entirely excused or exempted from the Tax He would be as it
were obliged to contribute something towards putting his Prov-
ince in a better posture of Defence & that it would be incon-
sistent with his Dignity to offer so little as His proportion of
the Tax would amount to. that no Danger or Injury to His
Ldp would ensue from the Precedent because if it was by.
Judges at home thought an illegal or unreasonable Act His
Ldp might for the future send positive Orders to the contrary,
& by evincing the impropriety of it prevent the Assembly's
ever making a similar proposition or Attempt hereafter, upon
these Considerations & with the Council's Advice I have ven-
tured to assent to the Bill & have herewith transmitted it for
His Ldp's perusal & Approbation — I said I did not apprehend
any other Part of the Bill will be objected to by His Ldp, but
really I am at a Loss to guess what Reception a Clause of it
that imposes a double Tax on the Lands of Roman Catholicks
will meet with at home. At times I have received such Letters
as inclined me to think it would be very disagreeable to His
Ldp in the least to distress or abridge them of their Liberties
& Privileges, but as I have lately received a full & positive
Instruction dated the 27"' of Oct 1 755 directing & requiring me
to put several Parts of the Penal Statutes in force against
them I think I can never be blamed for assenting to their
Lands being doubly taxed, especially as they are excused
mustering in the Militia, & as it is no more than is every year
done in England, however some of the principal of them who
have large Tracts of Land look on the Imposition as a grievous
Burthen & would fain have prevailed on me to reject the Bill
purely on that Account. As the Members of the Lower
House would not have heard of such an Amendment to the
Bill but on the Contrary have thence taken occasion to charge
the Gov' with countenancing & encouraging Popery they were
never desired to lessen the Tax but I beleive some Attempt
will be made by the papists to get the Act dissented to, or at
least to get me instructed & enjoined to oppose & prevent
such unequal Taxation for the future. Soon after General
Shirley sent me a Commission to take the Command of all the
Forces that should be raised in these Southern Colonies for an
Expedition to the Westward he informed me that he had writ
to Governor Dobbs to send the Troops that should be raised
in his Govern' to join me & act under my Command but
about a week ago I received a Lett' from Governor Dobbs
advising me that agreeable to General Shirley's Desire he had
sent the four Companies that his Assembly had impowered

430 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

I him to raise to New York by water, & that he had also ordered
thither the few CaroHnians that have since last luly remained
in Garrison at Fort Cumberland. The Pensilvanians neither
have nor will by what I can learn grant any more Supplies nor
contribute towards carrying on any Expedition to the West-
ward & as none of the Money which our People have appro-
priated to that Service is to be used or emitted till both Virg='
& Pensilvania have furnished or engaged to furnish their
respective & proportionable quotas, the General's Commission
& Instructions to me might have been spared for without Men
or Money Arms, Ammunition or Provisions I do not think that
even His Excellency himself could much annoy the Enemy or
reduce their Forts. The Virginians have at length I hear
resolved to compleat the Regiment they have vainly endeav-
oured by other methods to raise with Drafts from the Militia.
This Measure it is hoped will be attended with the Conse-
quences they expect & enable Col" Washington to protect
pretty well the Frontiers of Virg" but I presume he will not
advance with them into the Enemy's Country nor promise to
act offensively much this Season. Affairs in America generally
speaking remain in much the same Situation that they were in
the 3'' Inst. The Troops to the Northward are in motion but
by what I can learn the Regulars are very far from being corn-
pleat ; & it has been hinted to me by an Officer at Albany
whose Experience & ludgment I have a great Opinion of, that
we shall have good Reason to sing Te Deum at the Conclusion
of this Campaign if Matters are not then in a worse Situation
than they are at present. I intend to proceed to the Frontiers
next Monday or Tuesday to give Orders about constructing
the Fort & Block Houses that are to be built there, & as the
Officers are all Novices I beleive I shall tarry there with them
three Weeks or a Month unless any extraordinary Occurrence
should make my Return hither before that time expedient &
necessary —

I am &c

[Sharpe to Fox.]

31=' of May 1756.
Right Hon"=

I now do myself the honour to acquaint you that agreeable
to my Expectations expressed in my Letf of the 3^* Inst.
Our Assembly have prepared & I have passed an Act for
granting a Supply of about ;^25,ooo St^ for His Majesty's
Service, near _;^7000 of it is particularly appropriated to build
a Fort on our Western Frontiers & for supporting 200 Men to
range & cover the Inhabitants the Rest is directed to be

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 431

applied to support such Troops as it shall be thought proper to Letter Bk.iii
raise in this province to act in Conjunction with those that may
be raised in the neighbouring Colonies for an Expedition to
the Westward & is made liable to the Drafts or Orders of the
Officer that shall be appointed to command on such Expedition.
As all the Men which have been raised in N Carolina are
transported to N York & the Pensilvanians continue averse to
granting any Supplies for the abovementioned Service the
Money will remain in our Treasury till the Commander in
Chief of His Majestys Forces in America shall signify his
pleasure concerning the Disposal of it. I do not hear that any
Mischief has been lately done on the Frontiers of this & the
two Neighbouring Colonies nor that any parties of Indians
have been for some time discovered on this Side Fort Cumber-
land. I am &c.

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

31'' of May 1756
S'

Inclosed I send you an Extract from a Law which we have
at length with great Difficulty made for granting a Supply of
^40,000 for His Majesty's Service. As I have lately been
advised by Governor Dobbs that all the Troops which he has
been enabled to raise are by General Shirley's Order trans-
ported to N York & the Pensilvanians still remain averse to
Action I should be of Your Opinion as to the impracticability of
our acting offensively in these parts tho our Assembly had
given me a greater Latitude with respect to the ^25,000, than
they have thought proper. I hope the Voluntier association
you speak of will have a good Effect & animate the lower
Class of People who in both these Colonies seem to stand in
need of some extraordinary Incitements. I have not heard of
the Arrival of Lord Loudon or any other Officers as yet but I
earnestly hope the Troops will arrive time enough to act in
Conjunction with those that are moving towards Ontario for I
have been lately informed that none of the Regulars are com-
pleat & I doubt not but the French will be strong this Summer
on the Lakes. I hope & flatter myself you will be able when
your Regiment is full to prevent such frequent Incursions of
the Indians into Virginia ; I am about to proceed to the North
Mountain which is to be our extreem Limit to put our Fron-
tiers also into a better posture of Defence & to have a Fort
constructed there agreeable to our Act of Assembly. I am &c

432 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill [Sharpe to LoudoD.]

3^' of May 1756—
My Ld.

As I entertain the most sanguine hopes that your Ldp's safe
arrival in America will very shordy give us room to congratu-
late your Ldp & Ourselves, I take the Liberty to wish your
Ldp all felicity & Success in your Undertakings, & to acquaint
you with the present Condition of the Province under my Care,
But as Cover' Dinwiddle informs me that a Gent" of the
Council of Virg'* will wait on your Ldp immediately on your
arrival & represent the Situation of Affairs in this part of His
Majesty's Dominions, I shall avoid prolixity & only mention
such Matters as my Duty seems more particularly to require —
The latter End of Feb^ His Excellency Gen' Shirley was
pleased to send me a Commission & Instructions to take the
Command of all the Forces that should be raised in these South-
ern Colonies for an Expedition to the Westward or against
Fort Du Quesne this Summer & desired that I would recom-
mend it to the Assembly of this Province to grant their quota
of Men to act in Conjunction with such as he had asked & as
he hoped the Neighbouring Colonies would raise for that pur-
pose. Our Assembly have accordingly granted ^15,700 St^
to raise & support Troops for such Service but as it is not to
be appropriated or used unless the other Colonies shall contrib-
ute their respective Proportions; & as Govern' Dobbs advises
me that he has according to General Shirley's Desire sent all
the Men which he has been enabled to raise in Carolina to N
York, & the Pensilvanians are averse to granting any Supplies,
No Expedition can possibly be carried on here agreeable to
the General's Instructions, I am therefore in Compliance with
the Request of our Assembly about to proceed towards the
Western Frontiers of this Province to have a Fort constructed
there for the better Security of the Inhabitants, which is to be
garrisoned with 200 Men that are raising for that Service.
Your Ldp I presume already knows or will be informed by
Col° Ludwell that on Potowmack within this Province & about
60 Miles beyond our present Setdements there is a Fort which
according to a late Return of the Commanding Officer is gar-
risoned with about 200 Men from the Regiment that has been
raising in Virginia, inclosed I send your Ldp a Return of
His Majesty's Stores that have remained there ever since Col°
Dunbar marched thence to Phil^ last Summer. As there was
a Necessity of having the Powder shifted & the Casks trimmed
to prevent its spoiling I lately gave Orders to the person that
was left by the Commanding Officer of the Train at Fort Cum-
berland to take Care of those Stores, to get it done & to draw

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 433

for the Amount of the Expence that might attend it on the Letter Bk.iii
Paymaster to His Majesty's Train in America, but as the Stores
& especially the Powder is for want of a proper Magazine in
a good deal of Danger from the Enemy I submit to your Ldp
whether it would not be better to have it removed down to
the inhabited part of the Country till there shall be an imme-
diate Use for it. Besides the Stores mentioned in the inclosed
Return there were in the Custody of one M' Carlyle in Virg^
587 Barrels of Irish Beef, 230 Barrells of Irish Butter & 21
Barrells of Flour but as some Troops that I have kept up for
the Protection of our Back Inhabitants ever since Col° Dunbar
left us were some time since much distressed for provisions
before I was impowered by the Assembly to supply them I
ventured to draw on M' Carlyle for 100 Barrells of the Beef &
I hear that the Rest is removed to Winchester a Town on the
Frontiers of Virg^ for the use of the Militia that Governor Din-
widdle has ordered thither for the People's Defence.

I am &c

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.]

I" of lune 1756 —
D^B'

I have in a former Lett" intimated that there are several
Matters about which Disputes have subsisted many years
between the Ld Proprietary & the People of this Province
which have & will (till they are determined) prevent any har-
mony or Union between the several Branches of the Legisla-
ture at this time particularly so desirable & requisite & which
therefore we should unanimously study to bring about & pro-
mote. The two principal Bones of Contention or Matters in
Dispute are a Port Duty of Fourteen Pence a Ton on all Ves-
sels owned by Non Residents that trade to this Province, &
an Imposition of One Shilling a Hogshead on all Tob°
exported ; The first amounts to about /800 or ^900 St« p
Ann. which is received by His Ldp for his own private Use;
The latter does rarely exceed ^1400 in one year the greater
part of which is paid by His Ldp's Agent to His Lieut Cover'
by way of an annual Sallary & the Remainder is paid to His
Ldp himself. The People have been instructed & made to
beleive that these Duties are collected illegally, they have been
taught to look on it as a grievous Burthen & Oppression & to
take Occasion thence to clamour against His Ldp's Govern'
Attempts have been made by the Lower Houses of Assembly
to obtain a Sum of Money, or an Act for the Appointment
of an Agent to bring the Matter to a Hearing before His
Majesty in Council, but the Lord Proprietaries have always

434 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

I used their Influence & Interest to oppose such a Measure ;
whether this proceeded from Timidity or a Suspicion that the
Governm' would not be able to make good its Claim I cannot
say but it certainly has much contributed to confirm many
People in an Opinion that the Money is actually collected con-
trary to, or at least without the Sanction of a Law. As it is
very obvious what must be the Consequence of their entertain-
ing such Sentiments I shall not enlarge thereon, but only inclose
you a Copy of a Paper which has been lately handed about
here & I am told subscribed by a great number of the People,
for my own part I am throughly convinced that their Com-
plaints with regard to those particulars are unreasonable &
entirely without foundation & that if His Ldp had but Resolu-
tion enough to let the matter be brought to a Hearing before
the Council such a ludgment would be given or Order made
as would give His Ldp Satisfaction, make the people easy &
at the same time make them cautious how they engage in
Controversy hereafter. They are not apprized of all that can
be said in Support of His Ldp's Claim, & a Report of a Com-
mittee of a late Lower House of Assembly shews in my
Opinion that they would have very little to advance or urge
ag" him. Upon my mentioning the unhappy Condition of the
Province on Account of these Disputes to M' Calvert he
seemed to give me hopes that His Ldp would be willing to
bring them to a Conclusion, but His Ldp in His Instructions
peremptorily forbids me to hear any proposal concerning the
Appointment of an Agent for that purpose, however as I fore-
see that I shall when the Assembly meets again be addressed
on this Subject, I have got an Account or State of the several
Revenue Laws (that have been enacted from time to time)
made out & have sent it to M' Calvert desiring him at least to
get an Opinion thereon for me, which would possibly have
weight with the Assembly & perhaps satisfy them as to the
Collection of the Duties abovementioned. Should M' Calvert
for fear of the Expence that will attend it, or on any other
Account decline or neglect to comply with my Request Let
me beg the favour of you to peruse the Copy that I herewith
send, & if you do not get an Opinion subscribed by the Attor-
ney or SoUicitor Gen' I hope you will favour me with your own
Sentiments thereon. The Account or State might have been
much abridged was it only drawn up for the Opinion of a
Lawyer or for the Perusal of Persons of Learning or Judgment,
but as it was thought proper to adapt it to the Capacity &
Comprehension of every Planter in the Province it's Length or
Prolixity was unavoidable & necessary to prevent its being
suggested that the Quotations were unfair & imperfect, that
any material Parts were suppressed or partial Representations

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 435

made. As I shall be under a necessity of meeting the Assembly Letter Bk.iii
again in the winter I should be exceedingly obliged to you for
returning it if possible before that time that I maybe prepared
for a Dispute which seems unavoidable I am &c —

[Sharpe to Board of Trade.]

lune the 2^ 1756.
R' Hon"=

I do myself the honour to inform you that the Assembly of
this Province has lately granted the Sum of ^40000 Currency
for His Majesty's Service, to be laid out & applied in the
following manner, ^11.000 in Constructing a Fort or Forts
just beyond our Western Setdements & in paying cloathing
& victualing 200 Men that are to be raised to garrison the
Same & to patroll on the Frontiers. ^3000 in presents or
otherwise to engage the Assistance & cultivate the Friendship
of the Southern Indians in case either of the Neighbouring
Colonies shall think proper to send Commissioners in Conjunc-
tion with some from this Province to treat with them. ^1000
to be given as a Reward or Bounty to such as shall act offen-
sively against our Indian Enemies & produce their Scalps in
testimony of their having so done. And the Remaining
^25,000 in carrying on any Expedition that shall be under-
taken by this Province for His Majesty's Service in conjunction
with the Governments of Virg* Pens" & North Carolina.
The last mentioned Sum is made payable to the Orders of the
Officer who shall command on any such Expedition but as the
Troops that have been raised in North Carolina are all trans-
ported to New York & the Pensilvanians hitherto continue
averse to granting any farther Supplies it will remain in our
Treasury till the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces
in America to whom I have writ thereon shall signify his
pleasure concerning the Disposal of it. The Number of Men
that are allowed for the immediate Protection of our own
Frontiers will I beleive be raised in a few Days, when I pro-
pose to proceed to the Western Parts of the Province to give
the necessary Orders for constructing the Forts & for putting
that part of the Country in a better Posture of Defence.
Some of our Back Inhabitants who lately advanced about 40
miles beyond Fort Cumberland fell in with some Parties of the
Enemy & returned with some Scalps, indeed they lost some
men but as considerable Rewards are now given to such
Adventurers or Voluntiers in all these Colonies I hope the
Love of Money if no other motive will incite many to follow
their Example, & thereby make the Indians more cautious how

436 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill they vciiture down to injure the Inhabitants. I have not heard
that any of them have been lately discovered on this Side
Fort Cumberland nor do I learn that any Mischief has been
lately done by them on the Frontiers of either of the Neigh-
bouring- Colonies — "

Original. [Hardy to Sharpe.]

Fort George New York 4"" lune 1756
Sir./

As I hope this will find you returned from your Progress in
the back Countrys, I now send you what Informations I have
received from Fort lohnson since my last.

The intended meeting at Onondago, has been long doubt-
full, the Mohawks very much against Sir William Johnson's
going there, on the 1 2. of last Month he held a conference
with them and several other Indians, when they gave him
their reasons for objecting to his going up to Onondago,
founded principally upon the length of the lourney, and the
Danger their Castles might be subject to during their absence,
as they were determined to attend him, and concluded with
desiring him to Summon them to a general meeting at his
House, upon the receipt of this Conferrence, I found Sir
William lohnson had acquiesed with their reasons for his not
going, but declined calling them together at Fort lohnson as
they desired, as he expected soon to meet them at Onondago.
Upon considering the whole of this matter, and finding the
Meeting at Onondago quit put off, and the present State of
Indian Affairs, I was of opinion it was absolutely necessary, to
have a general meeting of the Six Nations, and as I had
leisure to attend that service to give them his Majesty's
present together with the addition made to it by this Province,
which I have been disappointed in, from the frequent Allarms
this Spring that has obliged the Indians to remain at their
Casdes, or attend Johnson in his Marches, and lastly from this
expected Meeting at Onondago.

Many reasons urged me to it, first to make them the present,
and Ultimately to know their disposition to Act vigorously in
Conjunction with us against the French, to endeavour if
possible to bring them to Act sincerly with their Nephews the
Delawares and Shawonese, and their other Dependants by
obliging them to lay down the Hatchet against the English, or
to punish them on their refusal, and as it would require at
least thirty days to bring them down. Lord Louden would
probably be arrived before that time, when he might have an
oppertunity of meeting them at the same time and by it know

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 437

what dependance he might have on any of their Castles joining
him, on the Services he may undertake, and we might also
know what Indians woud join the Crown Point Expedition,
the uncertainty of General Shirley's going to Oswego, before
the Arrival of the Commander in Chief gave me reason to
think calling them together could not interfere with the
Meeting he proposed holding with them there.

As I judged it necessary for his Majesty's Service to have
this General Meeting as early as possible I sent an Express to
Sir William lohnson, and desired him to consult with the two
Mohawk Castles and any other Indians he might have with
him, and propose this meeting to them and if he found them
inclined to it, and that it would not be inconvenient to the
more distant Castles to send to them, and appoint the time for
their coming down to Albany or Schenectady, and to give me
the earliest notice that I might be up in time. By the same
express I wrote to General Shirley and gave him my opinion
and reasons for calling the Indians together, and desired he
woud consider them, and give lohnson his opinion upon it,
my Express is not yet returned but since I sent him, I have
received a Letter from Sir William of the twenty third May
Inclosing an Extract of a Speech made him by a principal
Oneida Sachem, a Copy of which I here inclose you, the latter
part relates principally to a person living in your Government
whose conduct I dont doubt you will enquire into, I find the
Indians are full of Complaints against people of this M'Kees
cast, who take great pains in going among the Indians to Stir
up their lealously, forging strange Accounts, and Magnifying
the strength of the French, to such a degree, that must intimi-
date them. Sir William lohnson acquaints me in this Letter
that M' Hawley a Missionary to the Aughquage Indians informs
him "that there are a great number of Deserters from M'
Shirleys and Sir William Pepperell's Regiments who keep up
and down the Susquahannah, and do a World of Mishief by
their malicious lyes amongst the Indians, there are several of
them among the six nations and endeavour to set them against
the English, One very lately got to Oneida and not only
endeavoured to enflame those Indians against the English, who
he told them were determined to cut them all off, but advised
them now Oswego was short of Provisions, to destroy the
Communication to that Garrison, he put the Oneidas into such
a ferment that Canaghquayeson (the Sachem who made the
Inclosed Speech) came down to me chiefly to enquire into these
matters, and to give me this Information."

I hope General Shirley upon the above representation that
lohnson has made him, will offer handsome rewards to the
Indians to take up and carry to the Garrisons all those desert-

438 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

ers ; many of these Villains are Papists and Fellows of aban-
doned Principles ; the Indians are easily alarmed and imposed
on by plausible storys, and while we have so many Armaments
on foot round them, will be extreamly prone to Suspicion. I
hope you will endeavour to get those Fellows apprehended
that may be harbouring on the Susquahannah, for I don't doubt
but they may greatly contribute to draw upon us the Hostili-
ties of the Delawares and Shawonese. Sir William lohnson
has this further account in his Letter that I judge highly proper
to inform you of Viz : A Delaware Indian who was at the Lake
with me last year, came here yesterday, he tells me he was
lately at Tiahoga and Otsiningo, upon the Susquahannah, that
he thinks the Indians at Tiaogo are (to use his own words) but
badly incHned towards the English Interest, That a great Man
a Delaware Indian came while he was there from the Ohio in
order to seduce the Indians upon the Susquahannah to leave
that part of the Country and go and live upon the Ohio and
join the French against the English, he told them that there
was a great Number of the French and Indians there, having
3 Gunsmiths constantly at work making and repairing of Arms
and that great preparations are on foot to make a descent
upon some of the English Colonies, the Ohio Indians applied
to this Informant, and persuaded him to go and join the French
and he woud become a great Warrior, Our Indian told him,
he was a Warrior already and the Coat he had on his back,
he had taken from a French Indian who he had killed last year
at Lake George upon which the Ohio Indian he says seem'd
disconcerted, and sorry he had spoke so plain before him. " I
have also had some private conversation with a Seneca Sachem
called Old Beh, who came with the half King from the South-
ward, I find him to be a very sedate sencible Man and warmly
attached to our Interest, I asked him his opinion about the
Western Indians coming to Oswego this Year, he told me he
was well acquainted with those Indians, and the Situation of
their Affairs and had not been long ago amongst them he says
since M' Braddocks defeat at the Ohio the French Indian Inter-
est is greatly strengthned, that the Twightwees, lenundactees
and some of the Chikasawas, who were in opposition to the
French, and inclined to the English Interest were intimidated
from any further opposition to the French and were now
under their Influence, The French have them says he under
their Arms, and they must do as they please, therefore Brother
says he I do not think any of them will come to Oswego, as to
the Missisagas part of them I believe are as yet determined to
Act with the Five Nations and may come to Oswego. Last
night the Messengers returned from Onondago, none of the
Southern Indians were yet come, but I find they have sent for

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 439

them and expect them by the beginning of next month, they
are pressing for my being there by that time in a manner
almost peremptory. " they say there are many reports to the
prejudice of the English coming daily to them from all Quar-
ters, which produce a great deal of uneasiness, and that nothing
but my coming up will put things on a footing of Tranquility
that they look upon a General Meeting of the Six Nations and
their Allies to be absolutely necessary at this critical Juncture,
I am therefore preparing for the lourney so as to be there in
time, All the Mohawks of both Castles say they will go with
me, and have desired their Forts may be reinforced during
their absence, and say that this part of the Country will lye very
much exposed to the Enemy, and are afraid some Attack will
be made upon it, I have communicated this request and opinion
to General Shirley. By the aforesaid Messengers the Onon-
dagas have sent me the following Message, Tell our Brother
Warraghigagay that since we took the Hatchet from the
Shawones and Delaware Indians they have told us that there
is an Army of the English coming against them, and that they
think it unreasonable and unnatural for us to hold them in our
Arms, and prevent their defending themselves when People
were just at their backs to destroy them. We are informed
the English are Building a Fort at Shamokin, we can't com-
prehend the method of making War, which is made use of by
our Brethren the English, when we go to War our manner is
to destroy a Nation & there is an end of it

The English chiefly regard Building Forts, which looks as if
their only scheme was to take Poscession of the Lands.

Thus Sir I have given you all the Indian Intelligence I am
Master of. From the sudden Change and Resolution of lohn-
sons going to Onondago, my meeting the Indians is like to be
suspended, unless my Express gets time enough to alter their
Measures, if it should 1 shall acquaint you, and you will Judge
it right to have Deputies there.

The Army referred to in the Message from the Onondagas
must mean Coll° Clapham with your Forces, which when
explaind to them by Johnson, will clar up that matter, and
remove any suspicions they may have taken of being hurt by
them ; I have frequently wrote to Johnson to get the Dela-
wares to Explain what they meant by insisting on your deliver-
ing up of all Prisoners as a Preliminary to Peace, and find they
had taken up a notion that all the River Indians settled in this
Colony and New Jersey were held as Prisoners, but when they
are undeceivd, and find those Indians are all or most of them,
gone to setde with the Mohawks, I hope it will give a good
turn in their disposition to us.

440 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

June 5"^

Since I wrote the above I have receivd your Letters with
the several Papers Inclosd, which I will forward if Possible
this Afternoon, but I doubt if time enough to meet Johnson, as
I am just now informed that he most probably left home for
Onondaga before my Express reached him, however will desire
M' Shirley to send them after him by Express.

I think it is very clear if we do not Act Vigorously and
Exert ourselves in all Quarters the French will secure great
part of the Indians, and I fear the whole of them to the South-
ward, to Prevent which I could wish the Southern Colonys
would undertake another Expedition to Fort Du Quesne, or
any other Post on the Ohio, as should be Judged most proper
if preperations were made for such a Service, I should hope
Lord Lowden on his Arrival, when he might have the state of
things laid before him particularly with respect to the Indian
Interest, would have, no difficulty of joining the Provincials
with a sufficient Body of Regulars, such a scheme Vigorously
prosecuted appears to me to be the only one that can secure
to the English the Fidelity of the Southern Indians, and indeed
the Settlements and Country of the Southern Colonys; if this
year be lost the french will be strongly Fortifyed and make it
very difficult for us to remove them from those Waters do spur
your Neighbours to get a Body of men ready against the
Commander in Chief arrives.

The Jersey Assembly have not only passed a Prohibition
Act, but have Prolonged it for three months from the first of
August, if the Legislatures of yours and this Province pass
Laws for the like purpose, which I hope you will approve of,
and get your Assembly to do, I shall recommend it to mine
on their Meeting, for however late it be I am of opinion the
french will be greatly distress'd if we persevere in stoping the
Exportation.

As I have not time to Communicate the Indian Information
to Governors Sharpe and Dinwiddle I shall be obliged to you
to forward it to them.

I am &c
P. S. June 8"^ Cha= Hardy

Yesterday the Packet arrivd
after a Passage of 8 Weeks Col° Webb
Came in her who takes the Command
of the Forces till Lord Loudens Arrival
who we may expect with the Troops daily.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 441

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Philadelphia 5"" lune 1756
Sir

I have Three of your Letters to acknowledge of the 23"*
March, 24"* April, and one since that not dated inclosing the
Extract from the ^40,000 Act. My answers woud have been
much quicker, as well out of regard to the Importance of the
contents of those Letters as from the Pleasure your kind
correspondence has always given me, but I have been absent a
long while and engaged in a most disagreeable work that of
putting new and awkard Troops into order, and till my return
here had not a moments Respite. I have the Pleasure to tell
you that a Regiment of Eight Companies, 50 in a Company,
under the Command of a famous New England Partisan one
Mr. Clapham, is now on their March to Shamokin situate at
the Conflux of the two main Branches of the Susquahannah, in
order to build a Fort there for the Protection of such of the
Indians as remain faithful to us, and for the Encouragement of
those who joind the French to quit their Service and came
over to their old Friends, as many might have been forced
into this measure and woud be glad to retreat if they could
find a Place of Safety for their Families. The Water of the
Sasquahannah is often very low and full of Falls for a Mile or
Two at a Place called the Narrows, and the March in that
Place is likewise very difficult and dangerous, but both men
and Provisions are already got beyond those Falls and Narrows
and there being no other considerable Interruptions or Diffi-
culties in their future March I am in hopes this Service will be
effected. Sir William lohnson has in several Letters acquainted
S' Charles Hardie that thro' the Interposition of the Six nations
the Susquehannah Indians have laid down the Hatchet against
us and will if desird join the Six Nations against the French,
and that there may be time given to his Negotiations I have
publishd a suspension of Hostilities for thirty days on the
East side of Sasquahannah but not without having first sent
four friendly Indians to the Delaware Towns on Sasquahannah
to notify S' Willm lohnsons negotiations to such as might be
unacquainted with them and to find out the real state of the
Dispositions of those Indians, who are returnd, have made a
favourable Report of them & brought Messages from them for
a Cessation of Arms & Permission to renew former Treaties.

I expect to hear in a few days from Onondago where I
imagine S"" W" lohnson is now holding a Treaty w'** the Six
Nations & Deputies of the Delawares & Shawanese on this
matter. If we can divide the Indians it will be greatly to the
advantage of the common Cause, and as it is reasonable to think

442 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

the Sasquahannah Indians were in a great measure put upon
the War by a Party of French Delawares from the Ohio who
came without previous Notice to Shamokin offerd them the
Hatchet and did not allow them time to deliberate I am in
hopes that an Accomodation will be brought about by the Six
Nations and myselfe. This Suspension not extending over
the Sasquahannah no alteration is made as to offensive War in
those Parts.

I laid your last Letter and the Extract from the Act granting
_^40,ooo for his Majesties Service before the Assembly heartily
recommending it to them to enable me to act in conjunction
with your Province and Virginia in the several matters for
which Provision is made by both Governments, but they have
not as yet vouchsafed to give me their answer and I am in no
hopes of succeeding with them as the ;^6o.ooo is very near
expended in putting the Province into a Posture of Defence
and they have now adjournd themselves for three Weeks.

Scarroyady after advising a Declaration of War against the
Delawares and joining with us in it has quitted this Province
and is gone among the Six Nations to preside in some of their
Councils which he did with the Approbation of S' William
Johnson and perhaps at his Instance and he has carried with
him all the Six Nation Indians who lived amongst us except
two and these I have taken into the Employ of the Province as
publick Messengers and they are going a second time to the
Sasquehannah and upon their Return they have engaged to
join the forces under Col" Clapham who will I hope before that
be at Shamokin & the Fort be far advanced.

If I had any Indians that I could recommend to you as fit to
undertake the Services you want them for I woud readily send
them to you, I assure you there is nothing in my Power which
I woud not do to serve you and I am sorry I cannot do it on
this occasion.

By the last Ships I have Letters from the Proprietor wherein
he tells me that he is likely to appoint M' Pownal to succeed
me in this Government on the Recommendation of the Duke
and Lord Halifax and he says further that he comes with Lord
Loudon and is of his Cabinet Council

I am with great regard Sir

your Most faithfull &
Obed' Humble Serv'
Rob' H. Morris.

Correspo7idence of Governor Sharpe. 443

[Morris to Sharpe.] Original.

Philad^ 12"^ June. 1756.
Sir

The Express that waits upon you with this brings you the
publick dispatches that came by Coll. Webb in the Packet to
New York and will inform you of our American Staff.

Coll: Webb is to take upon him the Command of the Forces
till one of the other Generals arrive and is gone to Albany for
that purpose, where I am told an intire Alteration is to be made
in our Friend Shirley's Plan (but I much doubt whether such
Alteration will be for the better) and he is to be absolutely
dismissed from all military Affairs. Tho' for want of activity
he might not be so useful in the Field as a younger and more
experienced Man, yet for his abilities in the Cabinet and his
great Influence and Interest with the People of New England,
I fear he will be much missd.

It seems S' W" Johnson has a Pension granted him of
^600 -p Ann. and a Comission appointing him Colonel of the
Northern Indians with Colonel's pay ; And his Secretary M''
Wraxall has got a Captain's Comission for Major Rutherford's
Independent Company.

Finding no likelihood of agreeing with my perverse Assembly
and th' for that reason I could not do the Good I proposed and
cou'd wish to do in this troublesome Station, I gave the Pro-
prietors notice sometime ago th' I was grown quite tired of it
& was fully determined to resign and desir'd diey wou'd send
another Gentleman to succeed me. In their last they tell me
they had some Thoughts of appoindng M' Tho' Pownall for
their Governor here, and as I understand he is to come with
Lord Louden he may be expected every day, and I sincerely
wish him more Success and Happiness in his Administration
than I have had ; so that I have now a near prospect of being
released and of returning to the desireable situation of a private
Gentleman, in which and every other Capacity I shall always
retain the highest regard and Esteem for you Dear Sir. and am.
Your Most Faithfull &
obed' Humble Serv'
Rob' H. Morris.

I have inclosed you Copy of S' Charles Hardies Letter on
Indian Affairs and Copy of an Indian Speech w"^"" please to get
copied for Gov' Dinwiddie

444 Correspondence of Goverjior Sharpe.

Original. [Dinwiddie to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg lune iS"' 1756.
Sir

I wrote you the 24"" Ult° to which please be refer'd, I have
not any from you since which surprizes me, as I shou'd be glad
to know the last Determination of y' Assembly. Our Assem-
bly voted 60,000 for His Majesty's Service & further pass'd a
Law to draught the Militia to augment our Forces to 1500
Men ; but unluckily & against my opinion they excused the
Men draughted on paying ten Pounds each, this in a great
Measure defeated the Intention of the Law; as very many paid
the 10^ the Number sent up to Winchester I as yet have not
a true Ace' of, but they will come far short of my Expectations.

One Stalniker, who was taken Prisoner by the Shawnese
made his Escape ; he says he saw six French Officers with
1000 Indians from Oubatch, bound to Fort Du Quesne, &
reports they intended to visit our Frontiers this Sumer; I
wou'd gladly think they have not near the Number mention'd
but I tho' it necessary to acquaint you that we may be on our
guard against them.

One Cap' Brown, bound to y"' Gov' in seven Weeks Passage
from London, wrote to a Friend of his here, that 2000 Regulars
were embarked for N York ten Days before he sail'd, & that
Lord Loudon with 1000 more Forces, was to sail ten Days
after him ; they are much too late for this Sumer's Campaign,
it may be expected that the next Post from N York will give
us ace' of the arrival of the first Detachment, & Lord Louden
with the others may very soon be expected.

I cannot see what we can do but be on the Defensive & I
have given Colonel Washington Orders accordingly. I shall
be glad of a Line from you with your Opinion on our present
Situation.

Inclos'd You have the Treaty concluded with the Catawbas
& Cherokees. I remain with kind Respects

Your Excellency's
Most hble Servant

Rob' Dinwiddie

Letter Bk. Ill [Sharpe to Gen. Webb.]

23"^ of lune 1756. From the North Mountain
Sir

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Favour of the 9"" Inst, which gave me the agreeable Account
of your safe Arrival in America. I thank you for forwarding

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 445

to me the Letf from M'' Calvert as well as those from the Sec- Letter Bk.iii
retary of State the first I see was writ principally to introduce
me to Yourself in case I should have an Opportunity of paying
my Respects to you in person & of convincing- you that Lord
Baltimores pleasure therein signified is most agreeable to my
own Inclinations. By one of the Letters from M"^ Fox I am
directed to prepare & transmit to the Commander in Chief of
His Majesty's Forces in N America an exact & particular
Acco' of the present Condition of this Province, the number of
our Inhabitants, quantity of Cannon small Arms Ammunition
& other Ordnance Stores in our Magazine or in the hands of
the Militia together with a true State of all Places already for-
tified or which I might judge necessary to be fortified in this
Province & as I cannot well give a more particular Account of
these Matters than I have already done to the R' Hon""" the
Lds of Trade I will take the Liberty to inclose you a Copy of
my Lett' to their Ldps in Feb'' last since which time no mate-
rial Alteration has been made in the Condition or Circum-
stances of this Province — In a Letter which I did myself the
honour to address to the Earl of Loudon the 31" of May I
informed His Ldp that a Sum of Money had been granted by
our Assembly for supporting a Body of Men if it should be
thought proper for carrying on an Expedition to the Westward
I now inclose an Extract of the Act that grants such money
whereby you will see that tho it is made payable to any Gent"
that shall be appointed to command on such Expedition yet
our Treasurers are not at liberty to pay it till the Pensilvanians
as well as the Virginians have granted proportionable Supplies
for the same purpose. If His Ldp on His Arrival or the Com-
mander in Chief shall think proper to have the money other-
wise applied I hope to receive their Commands that I might
be able to communicate them in time to our Assembly which I
must convene for that purpose. As they thought proper at
their last Meeting to appropriate a particular Sum for con-
structing some places of Defence on our Frontiers & raising
200 men for the immediate protection of the Inhabitants, I am
agreeable to their Desire come hither to give the necessary
Orders for building such places ; in about a month I beleive I
shall return again to Annapolis where I shall be always proud
to receive any Commands from His Ldp or yourself & on all
Occasions endeavour to shew that I am &c.

[Lawrence to Sharpe.] original.

Duplicate. HaUfax i"Iuly 1756.

Sir

I am well informed that many of the French Inhabitants trans-
ported last year from this Province, and distributed among the

446 Correspondejice of Governor Sharpe.

different Colonies upon the Continent, have procured small Ves-
sels and embarked on Board them in order to return by Coast-
ing from Colony to Colony ; and that several of them are now
actually on their way: and as their success in this enterprise
would not frustrate the design of this Government in sending
them away at so prodigious an Expence, but wou'd also
gready endanger the Security of the Province especially at this
Critical juncture, I think it my indispensible duty to entreat
your Honour to use your utmost endeavours to prevent the
accomplishment of so pernicious an undertaking, by destroy-
ing such Vessels as those in your Colony may have prepared
for that purpose, and all that may attempt to pass thro any
part of your Government either by Land or Water in their way
hither. I would by no means have given your Excellency this
trouble were I not perfecdy well assured hpw fatal the Return
of these People is likely to prove to his Majestys Interest in
this part of the World. —

I am Sir
Your Excellency's most
obedient & most humble Serv'
Cha^ Lawrence

Original. [MorHs to Sharpe.]

Philadelphia s"" luly 1756.
Sir/

The inclosed Intelligence was sent me by Express from
Bethleham, the two Indians who gave it are come there from
Diahogo, and confess they have been concern'd with our
Enemies in the Attacks made in the Winter on our Frontiers,
but express an hearty concern and have thrown themselves on
the Clemency of the Government, The Information they give
is more likely to be true as it is known that the Bulk of those
who committed the Murders and Devastations in this Province
after setdng the Houses at Wiomink on fire went off in the
Spring to the Ohio and have been followed by numbers since.
I am Sir

Your Most obed'
Humble Serv'
Rob' H. Morris.

Letter Bk. Ill [Sharpe to John Sharpe.]

Fort Frederick 13"' luly 1756

As I have not much leisure to write nor much News to com-
municate to you from this place I think I cannot do better than

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 447

inclose you a Copy of a Letter which I have just writ to Ld Letter Bk.
Baltimore; I could wish its Contents were of another Nature,
but really some Steps that have been taken at home compell
me to speak my Sentiments pretty freely to His Lordship,
I have before hinted to you what Channel! all Preferment has
gone thro since I have been honoured with His Ldp's Com-
mission & if a Reformation be not shortly made the Authority
of a Governor in this Province will be a very Shadow. I have
writ pretty much in the same Stile to M' Calvert but in such a
way as I think he cannot take Offence thereat. It is I think
more than probable that he will speak to yourself or Brother
William thereon if he should I hope you will be able to
convince him that a Governor without power to oblige or
reward as well as to punish can never make many Friends &
that it is more than, likely that a Majority of those who obtain
Favours without my Approbation or Interest set light by my
power or commence my Enemies, if you can inculcate this
Doctrine I think you will do His Ldp great Service at the same
time that you add another Favour to the many by which you
have made me Y"" most obliged

&c.

[Shirley to Sharpe.] '

New York July is"" 1756.
Dear Sir,

The Inclosed is Intended to be shewn to your Assembly.

I shall stay here a few days upon the earnest request of
General Abercrombie & Colonel Webb (whom I left at Albany)
in order to see Lord Loudoun and Communicate my Senti-
ments to him, upon the State of his Majesty's Service under his
Command in North America, which they are of Opinion would
be greatly to his Lordship's satisfaction, and much promote his
Service.

Upon that occasion I shall press him to supply you, with
Artillery & Ordnance Stores & an Engineer for Carrying on
the intended Expedition with 3000 Men under your Command
from the Western Colonies ; which I am glad to find the
Government of Virginia is well dispos'd to, by Gov"^ Dinwiddle
and Colonel Ludwell of the Council of that Province, now here
to Complement Lord Loudoun upon his arrival: and I will
recommend it to his Lordship in the strongest Terms to
appoint Colonel Washington, the second in Command in that
Expedition, which I beg the favour of you to let him know, and
excuse to him my not writing him a Letter, on Account of the
great hurry I am in here.

448 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

I shall be extremely glad to execute any Commands for you
in England to the utmost of my power ; the surest way of
your sending them to me, now my time is so short in North
America, will be to forward them to England under Cover to
Mess" Thomlinson & Trecothick & Company Merchants in
London.

I wish you Success in all your Undertaking's being with
much truth & perfect Esteem.

Dear Sir,

Your most Faithfull

Humble Servant

W Shirley

P. S. Cap' Dagworthy informs me, you are busy in building
a Fort; I could wish, your Assembly had been content to
place it, where you propos'd.

If you should find your Assembly inclin'd to express a favour-
able Sense of my Endeavour's to promote the General Interests
of the Colonies in public Vote ; I take the Liberty to say in
Confidence to a Gentleman whom I esteem my Friend, that it
would not be an unacceptable Complement to me.

Hon'''' Horatio Sharpe Esq'

Original. [Shirley to Sharpe.]

New York July 13''' 1756.
Sir

Some days ago I had the Honour to receive at Albany, two Let-
ters from the R' Honble M' Fox, one of his Majesty's principal
Secretary's of State dated the 1 3"' & 3 1 " March last, acquainting
me in the former with his Majesty's appointment of the Earl of
Loudoun to be General & Commander in Chief of his Forces in
North America, and in the latter signifying to me that it having
been represented to the King, that my presence in England
may be very usefull & necessary to his Majesty's Service at
this time ; on Account of my being able to give many lights
and Informations relative to the State of Affairs in North
America, it was his Majesty's pleasure, that I should repair to
England with all possible Expedition. And that for this purpose
his Majesty had given directions to the Lords of the Admiralty,
who have ordered a Frigate to receive me on board and pro-
ceed with me directly to England. And I have the pleasure of
being acquainted in the former of these Letters that the Dis-
position, his Majesty has thought proper to make of the
Command of his Forces in North America, is not owing to any
dissatisfaction with my Services ; But that on the Contrary it is

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 449

the King's Intention, to give me a new mark of his Royal
Favour.

As I think it not improper for me to give your Honour
& the Province under your Governm' notice of my departure
for England, so I am desirous of talking this Opportunity of
assuring you and them of my best Wishes for their Welfare
and that of his Majesty's other Colonies, and th' I shall think
myself Happy upon my arrival in England in being able to
give such Lights & Informations relative to the State of Affairs
in North America, at this most critical Conjuncture, as may
best promote his Majesty's Service, and the security of the
General Interests of his Subjects there.

I am with great truth and Regard,
Sir
Your Honour's most Humble
and most Obedient Servant
W Shirley.

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter Bk.i.

p. 209

13" July 1756

My Lord

I am just honoured with your Lordship's Instructions of the
9"' of March & in Obedience thereto have sent to each of the
Rent Roll Keepers a Copy of the inclosed Orders. I hope I
need not use many words to persuade your Lordship that I
have already exerted myself as far as my Authority or Influ-
ence extended to get the several Rent Rolls compleated & I
hope to gain Credit with your Lordship when I assure you
that nothing has ever given me greater Uneasiness than my p. 210
Inability to serve your Lordship to your Satisfaction in this
particular. Those whose Duty it is to settle & manage your
Lordships Pecuniary Affairs are perpetually blaming each other
& endeavouring to vindicate their own Conduct. Col° Lloyd
your Ldp knows is both Agent & Rent Roll Keeper, & I have
been several times so importunate with him to perform his
Duty agreeable to your Instructions that I am afraid I have
more than once given Offence tho he has never when I have
spoke to him thereon been wanting in his Professions that
neither your Lordship nor any one else should have reason to
complain of any Neglect or Delay on his part, & tis not with-
out Concern that I find he has been less punctual than his
Promises at first inclined me to hope he would be found. It
is now three Months since I gave him in writing peremptory
Instructions to demand & receive all your Lordship's Rentalls,
Books, & Papers, that lay in M' Tilghman's hands & then to

45° Correspotidence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. acquaint him that your Lordship had no farther Occasion for
his Service however M'^Tilghman is still continued by reason as
Col° Lloyd says that your Lordship's Interest requires it & that
your Lordship's Affairs must receive considerable Detriment
from his being immediately dismissed : this Ansv^fer I did not
indeed expect from Colonel Lloyd after the Representations he
has made to M' Calvert of the Backwardness of the other, how-
ever as Colonel Lloyd ought to be the best Judge, & lest your
Lordship's Affairs should be said to suffer by my giving Coun-
ter Orders, I have left it to Colonel Lloyd to cashire M' Tilgh-
man immediately or to continue him a short time longer on
Condition he loses no time in getting all the Rentall Books &c
out of his Custody & bringing him to a just & final Settlement,
& till he shall do so I have advised Colo Lloyd to stop his
Salary. I have appointed M"^ W" Goldsborough to succeed
M' Tilghman & desired Colo Lloyd to deliver the necessary
Books & Rentalls into his Custody. As Colonel Lloyd was
p. 211 absolutely averse to resigning the Western Shore Rent Roll to
M' Thomas or any other Gent" M' Thomas continues still
unprovided for which really gives me some Concern because I
esteem him a Man of Abilities & a true Friend to your Lord-
ship's Govern' As M' Calvert tells me he has writ to M' Du-
lany & acquainted him that your Ldp will not be averse to
accepting my Recommendation in his favour I presume to
mention him once more to your Ldp tho I am not without
some Apprehensions that my repeated Solicitations on his
behalf have been disagreeable as they have hitherto been with-
out Effect, but My Lord I hope that whether such my Impor-
tunity has been displeasing or otherwise your Ldp will do me
the Justice to beleive that it proceeded from a Desire of serving
your Lordship & from no other Cause. I have no particular
Alliances or Connections with him or any Gent" in the Prov-
ince & if I had, I hope your Lordsp will beleive that no such
Motives, no private Views no prejudices, no Friendships should
divert me from pursuing & advising what should seem most
likely to promote your Ldp's Interest. My only Reason for
Espousing M' Dulany's Interest so warmly was as I told M'
Calvert that he is esteemed a Gent" of the best natural &
acquired Abilities of any in the Province & at the same time
looked on to be a Person of strict honour, that this made him
appear to me as a most desirable Friend while I regarded him
as one who could be a very formidable Enemy. Such Consid-
erations have always influenced my Recommendations since I
have been honoured with your Ldp's Commission & such
My Ld induce me to mention M' Dulany once more presuming
from M' Calverts last Letter that your Ldp is not so averse to
giving him preferment as I have for some time apprehended.

Correspondejice of Governor Sharpe. 451

As I am given to understand that Colonel Lloyd has expressed Letter
a Desire to have or be allowed the Recommendation of the
several Officers with whom he as Agent is necessarily con-
cerned lest otherwise a Man opposite to him in Sentiments if
not otherwise unfit may be appointed & thereby Your Ldps
Affairs be but ill conducted & as your Ldp is pleased to order
me to pay due Regard to such his Recommendations I cannot
help observing to your Ldp that I have always paid the greatest
Regard to his Advice in the Disposal of such places & that
out of 7 Sheriffs on the Eastern Shore 4 have been named by
himself & the Rest by other Gent" of the Council I hope Col"
Lloyd would not insinuate that I have ever appointed an im-
proper person to an Office with which he has the most dis-
tant Concern, but to avoid any such Suspicion I shall if it be p. 2\z
agreeable to your Ldp's Sense & Inclination, without the least
Reluctance part with any power of nominating to vacant Offices
as that is a privelege or power which in my Opinion no Gov-
ernor has reason to be very fond of, for my own part I can
assure your Ldp that it has made me many Enemies & that on
Account of the Recommendations that I have been obliged to
accept it has been very rarely in my power to make a Friend
by that means. I have before observed that out of 7 I accepted
Col" Lloyds Recommendation of 4 Sheriffs (who are as it were
the only Officers that I have the Appointment of) I might also
have added that I have never refused but one Person whom
your Ldp's Agent has mentioned to me & that was a Scotch
Factor who brought me an Introductory & Recommendatory
Lett' from him the Day I arrived in the Province, Accordingly
I accepted the person but when Numbers of the Gent" of the
County hearing what I had done subscribed a Petition &
desired me to gratify them so far as to appoint some more
agreeable Person & one not in desperate Circumstances to be
Sheriff of their County, I writ to Col° Lloyd & desired him
to excuse me from doing a thing so disagreeable to the People
immediately on my Arrival as my Appointing the Person he
recommended would be & with difficulty prevailed on him
to nominate a second & less exceptionable one after he had
refused to give Security for the Behaviour of him whom
he had first recommended. M' Calvert tells me that in Conse-
quence of a Letter from the Rev*^ M' Jones Y' Ldp desires to
be certainly informed whether it would not be much for your
Advantage to have the South Branch of Potowmack determined
to be the Fountain Head of that River; Your Ldp might be
pleased to remember that soon after my Arrival in the Province
I made particular Enquiry concerning that matter & writ to
Lord Fairfax Sz; Gover' Dinwiddle therein lest your Ldp should
have forgot what I writ at that time on the Subject I take the

452 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Liberty to inclose Extracts of my Letters whereby your Ldp
will see that That is no new Discovery of M' Jones's but how an
Alteration is now to be made is the only question & Difficulty ;
I do not in the least doubt both from what I have myself seen
p. 213 & heard that the South Branch ought to have been deemed the
Spring-Head & the Boundary of Maryland tho the Commis-
sioners that were appointed by the Crown to examine it deter-
mined otherwise. The Virginians will most certainly oppose
any Alteration or Resettlement Lord Fairfax is indifferent
& no Survey can at this time be safely made within 80 Miles
of the South Branch by less than a Body of 100 or 200 Men,
What Measures then can be taken to resettle that Boundary to
your Ldp's Satisfaction at present I know not but shall gladly
& readily take any Step that your Ldp shall judge proper or
be pleased to approve of. Whether M' Jones's Services merit
a greater Reward than the valuable Living he has long held &
enjoyed in Csecil County I submit to your Lordship but think
it my Duty to intimate that I beleive he would never have
requested such a Favour for his Son in Law directly of Your
Lordship if he had not despaired of succeeding with me on
Account of his Past Conduct. What that has been I leave your
Ldp to judge from the inclosed Petition which is copied from
one that M' Jones & many other such Guides handed about
among their Parishioners & got them to subscribe & present to
their respective Representatives in Assembly during the late
Session, & here I cannot help observing & 1 hope y' Ldp will
excuse me for it that M' Jones is not the first Gent" that having
good reason for not apprizing me of his Intention has addressed
& applied himself directly to your Ldp or M' Calvert for Prefer-
ment, & thereby laid me under great Difficulties on Account
of Promises that I might have made as I think it my Duty
always to obey every Letter or Intimation that has the least
Appearance of a Command or Instruction from either your
Ldp or M"^ Calvert. Your Ldp will not I hope doubt my most
punctual Obedience to your Instructions concerning the Act of
Parliament lately made for raising Troops in these Colonies &
Your Ldp will I flatter myself beleive that no Endeavours shall
be wanting on my part to promote His Majesty's Service on
every Occasion. I have been some Weeks at this place with
about 1 50 Men (raised by Virtue of our late Act of Assembly)
p. 214 constructing a Fort & Block-Houses for the protection of the
Frontiers, My presence here will I apprehend be absolutely
necessary till the Work is pretty far advanced all our Men
being raw & undiciplined & all our Officers ignorant of every
thing that relates to Fortifications or Places of Defence,
neither is it without great difficulty that I make them observe
such Regulations & Orders as our Situation makes necessary.

Correspondence of Governor S/mrpe. 453

A few days ago some Parties of Indians appeared in die two Letter Bk.
neiglibouring Colonies & cut off several of the Inhabitants «&
indeed they have also done some Mischief lately on our Fron-
tiers tho not with impunity as y' Ldp will see by the inclosed
Gazette I have not for some time received any Lett" from the
Northw"^ but by what I can learn it is not expected that our
Troops will offend the Enemy much this Summer in that
Quarter unless Ld Loudon should come over very shortly
with a much larger Body of Men than General Abercrombie is
lately arrived with

I am &c

[Sharpe to Calvert.]
Fort Fred"" the 13"' luly 1756. transmitted by Capt Coolidge.
S^

I am now to acknowledge the Receipt of Your Letter of the
g'*" of March together with His Ldp's Instructions of the same
Date, & have in Obedience to His Ldp's Requisition & your
Commands sent peremptory Orders to the Agent, Keepers of
the Rent-Roils & His Ldp's other Officers to compleat such
Rentall Books as you require & to satisfy His Ldp that I have
done so I have inclosed him a Copy of my Instructions to
those Officers which in fact are much the same as I had before
given them agreeable to the Instructions which I have several
times received. It has I assure you given me inexpressible
Concern that His Ldp should have reason to repeat his Instruc-
tions on that Subject & I wish it had been as much in my
Power as in my Inclination to have given His Ldp Satisfaction
therein long since. Colo Lloyd has for his part been always
full of Professions & Promises that no one should have reason
to complain of any Neglect in him, but by Your Account I
think He seems as culpable as any one. I cannot help thinking
his Desire to have the Recommendation to all Offices which in
virtue of his Post he must have Inspection into a litde extraor-
dinary, I do not well understand what is meant by " Offices
which he must have Inspection into," if he would have the
Keepers of the Rent Roll appointed by himself surely he can-
not desire more than to be one of them himself & to have
nominated the other, but if he means all the Officers that he
must at times be necessarily concerned with he must then have
the Recommendation or Appointment to every Place in the
Government for there is not one but as Agent he must
frequendy have Business with, for my own Part I can assure
you that if such a Proceeding be agreeable to His Ldp I would
most readily resign to him the Nomination of any Officers

454 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. which it has been usual for or incumbent on Governors to
appoint, rather than His Ldp should entertain the least Sus-
picion of my having ever had any thing in view in such
Appointment besides His Ldp's pleasure & Interest. With
truth can I assure you that I have very rarely consulted my
own Inclinations in my Appointment of any Officers in the
Governm' & I am apt to beleive that not more than three or
four do really think themselves obliged to me for their Prefer-
ment, while by my Inability to provide for many who have
endeavoured to recommend themselves to my favourable
Notice I doubt not but I have made many Enemies & inclined
some of them to entertain no very great Opinion of my Power,
such would be the Sentiments no doubt of M' Jones was His
Ldp to grant his Request, & I am inclined to think M' Darnall
would be much of the same Opinion should His Ldp gratify
his hopes & Expectations. I have taken the Liberty to write
p. 216 to His Ldp pretty fully concerning M' Jones & flatter myself
His Ldp will not lessen my Influence so much as would
certainly be done by conferring Favours on any one who has
rendered himself justly obnoxious to the Government. Colo
Lloyds Observation " that unless he has the Recommendation
of all Officers with whom he must be concerned Gentlemen
opposite to him in Sentiments may happen to be appointed "
is no doubt very just but I hope he would not insinuate that
there is a probability of my appointing any person to an Ofiice
for which he is unfit or against whom any Objection can be
made. I am sure he has not hitherto had the least Reason to
be dissatisfied with any of my Appointments neither shall he
ever have room to except ag" any. I have always paid the
greatest Regard to his Recommendations, in one Instance
only have I made any Objection to them & that was to
one who was represented to be in very low Circumstances
& for whom Colo Lloyd himself declined giving Security.
You tell me his present Drift is to get M' Cha. Goldsborough
into place, I cannot guess what he would have done for him
neither did I ever learn till now that he would desire more for
him than a Seat at the Council. Upon the Strength of what
you write concerning M' Dulany I have ventured to address
His Ldp in his behalf & hope a favourable Answer. I will
send or deliver your Letter to M'' Dulany immediately on my
Return & hope t'will give him Satisfaction tho I am not with-
out some Apprehensions that from Your telling him "the only
Way for him to obtain favour of my Lord is to address me "
he might be apt to suspect I have espoused his Interest less
warmly than I really have. I hope M' Young will not be set
in Competition with him, I am confident that would never
happen were the Gentlemen's Characters as well known to

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 455

His Ldp & Yourself as they are to every person in this Coun- Letter Bk.i.
try; but be His Ldp's Determination what it will I shall chear-
fully submit & always think what he determines right & most P- 217
proper. I need not I hope repeat my Desire to serve M'
Thomas because I think he deserves to be taken Notice of; I
hope an Opportunity will sometime offer & that I shall have
it in my power to shew that I have a real Regard for him. If
you will please to recur to my Lett" dated the 14''' of Sept' &
29"' Novem"" 1753. You will find that I at that time said as
much as M' Jones pretends to have discovered & more than
he can possibly know about the two Branches of Potowmack.
As I did not receive Your Favour of the 17''' of April 1754 till
after M' Washington's Defeat & till it would have been both
dangerous & expensive to explore or survey either of the
Branches of that River No Step has been taken to discover or
determine the Longitude or Meridian of their respective Foun-
tains neither is there any Prospect of its being done yet a long
time without the greatest hazard but if it be agreeable to His
Ldp to have any thing done in that Business, be pleased to
signify them that I may execute His Ldp's Commands. That
Bill of Parker's I will get renewed & return it you as soon as
possible. Neither M' Plater nor M' Steuart could make up
their Accounts or receive the Fees due to them till this Month,
on my Return to Annapolis I will comply with your Request
concerning them & will also give M' Tasker such a Hint as
you desire. M' Meyers I have not seen some time, he has I
hear been much indisposed & I am afraid is not quite so tem-
perate as his Father might wish. M' Ridout has intimated to
him that his Father is anxious to hear from him «& advised him
to be punctual in his Correspondence, herewith you receive
the Journall of the Proceedings of the Lower House of Assem-
bly during the last Session : the Laws I hear are in the Press
& I hope will be ready to transmit by the next Opportu- p. 21S
nity of Conveyance that may offer. I shall perhaps then
write from Annapolis whither I shall return as soon as our
Fort is a litde farther advanced so that the Frontier Inhabitants
may think themselves more secure. My Presence here till
that time the Ignorance of both our Officers & Men with
regard to Fortification renders absolutely necessary & if I was
away I doubt none of the Country People or Labourers would
submit to the Command of any Military Officer. A Party of
Indians has lately cut off some Families in Pens'" about 20 Miles
from this place & I hear that another Party has again made an
Incursion into Virginia & destroyed several of the Inhabitants.
The inclosed Gazette will shew you what has happened also in
this Province, where alone I think the Indians have suffered a
certain Loss. The Virginians are about to build a very expen-

456 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. sive Fort at Winchester & it is reported they will remove thither
the Stores from Fort Cumberland & abandon that place. I
have not lately received any Advices from the Northward but
by what I can find our Troops in that part of the Continent
are not expected to perform great Exploits this Season.
General Abercrombie & the Forces that embarked with him
are arrived & Lord Loudon with two more Regiments is daily
expected. Your Favour by General Webb I have received &
in Consequence thereof begun a Correspondence with that
Gent" I hope you beleive that I shall always pay the greatest
Regard to your Recommendations & endeavour to shew on
every Occasion that I am &c —

Letter Bk. Ill [Sharpe to Maj.-Gen. Abercromby.]

Fort Frederick 17''' luly 1756.
S^

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Favour by Major Rutherford & to congratulate you on your
Arrival in America where I heartily wish you all happiness &
Success I beg you will think that nothing shall be wanting on
my Part to promote & forward the Service in which Major
Rutherford & the other Gendemen of the Royal Americans
are at this time engaged, I have already writ to our Magis-
trates to assist the Recruiting Parties that may be ordered to this
Province & to contribute towards the Completion of that Corps
as much as lies in their power. I am much obliged to your
Excellency for forwarding to me the packett from the Secre-
tary of State, in Obedience to M' Fox's Letter I have already
sent a particular Account of the State & Condition of this
Province in a Lett' directed to Col° Webb or the Commander
in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in America which I presume
will be laid before you & at the same time I also informed him
that the Assembly of this Province has lately granted the Sum
of ^40000 Currency or ^25,000 St*^ for His Majesty's Service
part thereof is particularly appropriated to build a Fort on the
Frontiers of this Province & to support two Companies of 100
Men each till next Feb>' for the Protection of our Back-Inhab-
itants but the greater Part is given for the Encouragement
of an Expedition to the Westward should such a one be
approved of & the two neighbouring Colonies contribute
towards carrying it on, in that Case the Money abovementioned
is made payable to the Commander in Chief of such Expedi-
tion & the Treasurers will accept his Orders for the same, but
if no such Expedition be resolved on I must meet the Assem-
bly to get it otherwise appropriated as soon as I receive Orders

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 457

from the Earl of Loudon or Your Excellency for that purpose. Letter Bk.iii
I return you thanks for troubling yourself with the Letter from
M' Calvert, should I be fortunate enough to have an Oppor-
tunity of paying my Respects to you in Person I would take the
Liberty from it to introduce myself to you & endeavour to
shew that Lord Baltimore & M' Calvert bid me do the thing
most agreeable to my own Inclination & Wishes when they
desire me to be known to your Excellency & to endeavour to
convince you by all means in my power that I am &c —

[Sharpe to Fox.]

17"- luly 1756.
R' Hon'^'^

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
two Letters dated the 1 3"' of March by Colo Webb, & Dupli-
cates thereof by Major General Abercrombie & will endeavour
to pay the most punctual Obedience to your Commands therein
signified the Money that our Assembly has granted for His
Majesty's Service is for the most part made payable to the
Order of any Officer that may be appointed to command in
Chief on an Expedition to the Westward of this I have advised
General Abercrombie & shall if the Earl of Loudon or he think
proper desire the Assembly to appropriate it to any other Use.
We have for almost two years had an Act of Assembly to pro-
hibit all Trade with the French & their Allies which I beleive
is effectual & renders it impossible for them to be supplied
with any Stores or Provisions from this Province & indeed the
Inhabitants did not even before this Act was made carry on any
Trade with them. I have in a Letter which Lord Loudon will
receive on his Arrival at New York & also in a Letter to
General Abercrombie given a very particular Account of the
present State & Condition of this Province agreeable to the
Orders you was pleased to send me. We have not lately lost
more than four of the Inhabitants of this Province & those
were killed in two Skirmishes with Indians on our extreme
Frontiers wherein the Indians lost on equal Number & retired
without the plunder they were carrying off from Pensilvania.
I have been some time at this Place getting a Fort constructed
which is to be garrisoned with 200 Men that the Assembly
have enabled me to support for that purpose & to patroll on
the Frontiers for the Protection of the remote Inhabitants.
I am &c.

458 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

[Morris to Sharpe.]

Philadelphia 19 July 1756.
Sir

Capt" Dagworthy will be able to tell you what is passing
at New York as well w'"" regard to England as the Eastern
Expeditions.

M'' Pownall, as M' Penn writes me, woud not come under
Instructions after he was recommended to the Prop" by the
Duke of Cumberland and therefore miscarried, if he ever had
any real Intentions to accept this Gov' w'='' M' Penn doubts, I
think he woud not have objected to such Instructions as were
offerd unless he thought he coud oblige M' Penn by the weight
of his Influence to appoint him without Instructions. In this
however he was mistaken, & M' Penn had in opinion with him
M' Fox, Lord Halifax & Lord Louden. I do not hear for
certain that he has the Government of the Massachusets tho it
may be so. After the Conferences ended betw" the Prop" &
IVP Pownal the Duke of Cumberland recommended one M'
Denny a Gentleman of the Army & he is expected to arrive
every day.

He is said to be a Gentleman of Address and of a fair
Character, but as he is not known to myself or to any here I
know no more of him than what common Fame reports w'^'' is
much to his advantage.

Our people complain much that while the Embargo is laid in
this & the other Provinces Maryland, w'^'' is equally a Bread
Country, is at liberty to export. It is really for the publick
Utility that there shoud be a long Restriction, and this will not
take place unless it be general so that I coud wish whenever
the other Colonies think it necessary to lay an Embargo you
woud lay the same in your Colony. Capt" Dagworthy staying
I am obliged to write in haste. I woud have wrote to you on
the Subject of the Embargo sooner if I had not imagind that
S' Charles Hardie had wrote to you at the same time he first
mentiond the matter to me. I am

Sir your most obed' Humble Serv'
Rob' H: Morris.

[Loudoun to Sharpe.l

Liber J. K. "- ^ -^

& u. s. New York 23*^ July 1756.

p. 1=4 gr

His Majesty having been graciously pleased to appoint me,
by his Commission under the great Seal to be General and
Commander in chief of all his Forces in North America.
I take this first opportunity to acquaint you of my Arrival this

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 459

Morning ; As I have been unfortunately so long detained in Liber j. k.
my Passage I find it indispensably necessary that I go up '-^ ^^- ^•
immediately to the Army. I must proceed accordingly. I
herewith send your Honour the Letters of M' Fox his Maj-
esty's Secretary of State, and of the Earl of Halifax his Maj-
esty's first Lord Commissioner of the Board of Trade. I do
from your Zeal and Attachment to his Majesty's Service, and
from the Loyalty and good Dispositions of your people, depend
upon all Assistance that the State & Circumstances of your
Province is able to give me.

I will beg your Honour to assure the good People of your
Province, that they may depend upon my protection, and my
utmost Care to avoid and remove (as far as the Circumstances
of a Country become the Seat of War will admit) every thing
that may any way burthen, or hurt the Interest of any Individual.

I shall on all Occasions, and in every thing relative to the
Service and Interest of the Colonies communicate with your
Honour, and beg at all times to be favoured from you with all
Matters of Advice and Intelligence relative to the same, and
shall impatiently expect the Returns you are directed to send.
I beg you to be assured, that I am with the highest Esteem
S^

Your Honours most obedient and most
humble Servant

Loudoun
The hon"= Horatio Sharp Esq'

[Peters to Sharpe.] Original.

Philadelphia July 29 1756
Sir: His Honour our Governor being on the Frontiers at
Easton, holding a Treaty with a Chief or two of the Six
Nations, as Mediators for our late Enemies the Delawares and
Shawanese and also some of their Chiefs : I am ordered by the
Council immediately to dispatch this Express with the inclosed
packett from Lord Loudon for your Excellency and seven
others viz' two for Virginia, two for North Carolina, two for
South Carolina and one for Georgia, which his Excellency
Lord Loudon desires the favour of you to forward by Express.
We received Letters this morning from our Governor
advising the Council that he finds the Indians well disposed
for an Accomodation with us and that he has a fair prospect
of making a good Peace with them : but as they had not
entered upon the substantial part of the Treaty having only
just got thro' the Formalities, I cannot give you any particulars
of it. The Six Nation Chief who is the Speaker and Manager
at the Treaty for the Indians declares himself most agreably

460 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

disappointed in finding that we had not given the Delawares
the least cause or Umbrage for falling out with us and com-
plains that they had all been much abused and deceived by
false representations of our Treatment of the Delawares and
designs against them

I am Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant
By Order of the Council W™ Peters

His Excellency Horatio Sharp Esq'

Original. [Morris to Sharpe.]

Philadelphia Aug. 15. 1756
Sir.

I received yesterday by Express from Cumberland County
an Account that Fort Granville on the River Juniata near our
Western Frontier was on the 30 Ultimo attackt taken and
burnt by a Body of French assisted by a number of Indians all
under the Command of a French Officer. There were in the
Fort when Attackt a Lieutenant and Twenty four Men with
some Women and Children ; They killed the Lieut: and some
of the Men in the Action and carried off the rest Prisoners and
made a division of them, allotting to the French the Young
Men and the Women, and to the Indians the oldest of the Men
and the Children. After they had destroyed the Fort the
French Officer set up a French Flag. They have committed
many other ravages and Scalped and carried off many more of
the People in that part of the Country, which has so terrify'd
the rest that I am very apprehensive that whole Country will
be very soon deserted and the River Susquehannah become our
Western Frontier if some more speedy and effectual measures
are not taken to prevent it than I have any reason to expect
from my perverse Assembly, who being to meet to Morrow I
shall then in the Strongest Terms I can press them to provide
immediately for the better defence of that part of the Province
now in such imminent danger. I have the honor to be
Your Excellencys

Most obed' Humble serv'
Rob' H: Morris

P. S. Since writing the above I am informed that another
Fort on the Western frontier at a place called M'^Dowell's
Mill is actually evacuated and that the People in those parts
who have hitherto mentained their ground, are now moveing
down into the thicker setded parts of the Province on this side
the Susquahannah. and as by the evacuation of that Fort our
communication with the Forts Lyttelton and Shirley will be cut
off it will be very difficult in our present circumstances to
hinder them from falling into the Enemys Hands.

Corresponde7ice of Governor SJiarpe. 461

[Capt. S. Gardner to Sharpe.]

Sir I am enjoyn'd by my Instructions upon any difficulty
that rises in the Recruiting Service to make my Application to
the Governor of the Province or Colony where I happen to be.

I have met with Opposition from some of the People in these
Quarters w'''' I apprehend to be a just Matter of Complaint, &
I doubt not the Persons concern'd will be severely reprehended
by your Excellency.

My recruiting Sergeant sometime in July last was attack'd
by Mr. Charles Ridgley & a Number of others his Accomplices,
& had six Recruits taken from him by Force & Arms, who had
each receiv'd his Majesty's Bounty, on pretence that these
Recruits were Indented Servants, w'^'' turns out not to be the
truth as to all of them — besides threatning the Sergeant & the
Party to have them whipt out of Town.

About a Fortnight since M' Joseph Watkins with a Number
of Men arm'd with Clubs rescu'd another Recruit from my
Serg' in his way from Joppa to this Town.

I apply'd to Mr. Bordley the Attorney General who I
imagin'd I sho"* find very ready to joyn with me in a publick
Resentment of this Method of proceeding by prosecuting the
Parties concern'd, but by what I could gather from my Con-
versation with him, he makes light not to say justifies Attempts
of this sort — he put a Case not very much to the Honour of
the Recruiting Service — Suppose a Man steals a Horse &c.

If thro' mistake, or in a disputable Point as this seems to be
among the Inhabitants, whether the King has not a prior Right
to the Service of his Subjects to any after obligation they may
lay themselves under, especially in Cases of great Necessity,
any Mans legal property is invaded, are not the Steps of the
Law to be pursu'd without violence that Justice may be done?
— besides I cannot possibly know who are or are not Servants
'till their Indentures are produc'd.

Pardon my suggesting these things w"" is with no other View
than to apologize for my own Conduct.

I hope your Excellency will give such Directions & Order a
prosecution against the Parties who have been culpable against
whom I am ready to furnish the necessary Proofs as may deter
others from such a barefac'd Opposition to His Majesty's Ser-
vice. I am with great Respect

Your Excellency's most Obed' Hum Serv'
Sam' Gardner
Captain in his Majesty's 47"" Regim'
Baltimore Aug' 15"' 1756

462 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Sir

Since the above by the Instigation as I am credibly inform'd
of some of the better sort at the Church in the Forest last
Sunday there was an Agreement made to raise a Body of
about 200 men & take all my Recruits from me, this Town to
be their rendezvous on Monday. Cap' Orrick who commands
a Company of Militia in the County came on Sunday evening
with about twenty Horse the men arm'd with Clubs & gave
me to understand that they expected the whole Body the next
Day. The Captain was deputed by the rest to be their Spokes-
man who told me they were come in a peaceable Manner to
demand their Servants & that if they could not have them by
fair means they would have them by Foul.

It seems some of their Convict Servants were run away not-
withstanding my posting up Advertisem'^ th' I would not take
any Convicts they would not believe me I gave them Liberty
to examine my recruits they found none of their Servants &
for the present the Storm is blown over. I leave the whole to
y' Excellency's Animadversion.

I am y' Excell'^*'' most obed'
Baltimore 21" Aug' & most hum Serv' S. Gardner

Or'gi"=i'- [Loudoun to Sharpe.]

Albany 20''' August 1756 —
Sir

I received last night accounts by which I apprehend that
Oswego with all its Stores and Ammunition and the Train
placed there is lost, The Garrison made Prisoners and our
Naval power on the Lake destroyed.

I must put you on your Guard against every 111 Conse-
quence of such an Unhappy Event and as you may now expect
the weight of the French Indian Power on your Back I must
caution you to put your Frontiers immediately in the best
posture of Defence you are able as from the Condition and
number of the Troops left to me when I came to my Com-
mand I can scarce hope to do more than to resist the French
power in these Quarters.

Were my Hands strengthened to enable me to Act I would
not despair of retrieving this Misfortune and to wrest out of
the hands of the French this important Post that by a series of
bad Circumstances has fall'n too easy a Prey to them. —

I must in the strongest manner and from motives of the
most interesting nature demand your Assistance and that of
your Province.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 463

His Majesty having been graciously pleased to send over to
America a number of Officers for the Service of these Coun-
tries his Royall American Regiment of four Battalions does
Expect that the Colonies will supply the Levies for this Regi-
ment, The state of the service does now require that this
Regiment should be immediately Compleated. There is no
aid you could send me in any Shape wou'd be so useful as
Recruits to Compleat this Regiment as under such good
Officers as his Majesty has appointed to it they would be soon
if not direcdy fitt for service.—

The Levy money is in all Justice and right expected of the
Colonies but if obstructions to tlie service should arrise within
your Province on this head I must at this time undertake to
advance it.

I do therefore again in the strongest manner desire of you
and your Province that you will without Fail as you shall
answer for the Consequences use your utmost Endeavours to
procure and send me a number of such Recruits If I had this
Regiment Compleated directly I should hope to be able to Act
and remove those dangerous Circumstances under which his
Majesty's Colonies do now labour. In Consequence of his
Majesty's Positive Orders I must require of you to lay a Pro-
hibition on the Exportation of all manner of Provisions as the
sending out such at this time will not only supply the French
everywhere and enable them to Act against us but may in a
very Essential manner distress his Majesty's Service here as I
do not know how soon I may want all that the Colonies can
Furnish.

I am with great Truth and Regard
Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
Loudoun —

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter

Annapolis the 20"" of Aug'' 1756
My Ld.

In my last which I did myself the honour to write to your
Ldp from Fort Frederick the 1 2"" of luly I inclosed a Copy of
the Instructions which in Obedience to your Lordship's Com- p. 219
mands had been sent to the Agent & Keepers of the Rent
Rolls, since my Return to Annapolis I have received a Letter
from Col" Lloyd acknowledging the Receipt of them & prom-
ising that he will do his Endeavours to give your Lordship that
Satisfaction which you expect & require tho says he M' Calvert

464 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

does not say one Syllable to me about the Rent Roll he adds
that my Letter or Instructions were in an unusual Strain Sz;
that he is sure your Lordship has no reason to complain of his
Conduct these Expressions My Lord convince me of what I
have before intimated to M' Calvert, that he is far from being
satisfied with my interfering or concerning Myself with matters
that he apprehends himself intrusted with the sole Manage-
ment of & that it is absolutely impossible for me to communi-
cate to him Your Ldp's Instructions with respect to the
Administration of your private Affairs without giving Offence,
however I hope your Ldp will not disapprove of the Instruc-
tions I sent but beleive that 1 therein endeavoured to act as
agreeable to your Ldp's pleasure as possible & that I will on
every Occasion to the utmost of my power & Abilities do so.
I have also received Your Ldp's Favour by the Earl of Loudon
& shall take Care to pay the most punctual Obedience to what
Your Lordship therein commands & always contribute as
much as possible to promote the Service that His Lordship
recommends; He is I hear at this time at Albany disposing
of the Regiments in the best manner for the Security of the
Northern Provinces & that they may assist or on occasion cover
the Retreat of the Provincial Troops who continue absolutely
averse to acting in Conjunction with Regulars on the Expedi-
tion against Crown-Point. Since I left Fort Frederick we have
received Advice that a party of French & Indians have reduced
& burnt Fort Granville which was one of the most considerable
that the Pensi^ Commissioners had built last year on the Fron-
tiers of that Province, it was situated 20 Miles west of the
Conflux of the Susquehanna & luniata Rivers & has been
generally garrisoned with a Company of 70 Men, tho it seems
when it was attacked the Garrison consisted of no more than
an Ensign & 25 the rest of the Ofificers being out with
Detachments to cover the people while they were at harvest.
It is said that by some means or other the Enemy set the Fort
on fire that in attempting to extinguish it the Ensign & three
or four private Men were killed & some wounded & that the
Rest (their Ammunition being expended) thought proper to
surrender at Discretion. This Account we have from one of
the Prisoners who has given the Enemy the Slip & is returned
to the Inhabitants. This Accident has a good deal alarmed
the Inhabitants of Pens-^ while it makes our people see the
Expediency of my building Fort Frederick of Stone, which
measure alone (tho it is expensive) is the only one that can
secure a Garrison against the Savages conducted by European
Officers as it is certain these Indian Parties are. This My
Lord is all the news that I can send your Lordship at present,
every thing in Your Ldp's Province & Virginia remaining in

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 465

the same Situation & Condition that they were in when I last Letter Bk.
did myself the honour to address Myself to your Ldp & to
profess as I again do that I am Y'" &c.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

Annapolis the 21=' of August 1756 & transmitted by
Capt Brooke. Dup^ by Capt.
Sir

Herewith you receive Copies of all the Laws that were
enacted last Session together with a few Remarks thereon, as
none of them except the Supply Bill contain any thing of an
extraordinary nature I hope they will meet with His Ldp's
Approbation. Since my Return home I have received a Letter
from Col" Lloyd in answer to the Instructions which in Obedi-
ence to His Lordship's Commands I sent him from Fort
Frederick he says they appear to be writ in a very unusual
Strain & seems to think I take upon me more than I ought in
giving such peremptory Orders about the management of His
Lordship's private Affairs, he says he is sure His Ldp has no
room to complain of his Behaviour or Delay & declares that
you do not say one Syllable to him about the Rent Roll.
I have before intimated to you how difficult it was for me to
communicate to him what His Lordship required without
giving Offence & that His Ldps Commands about his private
Affairs would probably be obeyd more readily if they were
signified to His Agent immediately by Yourself however
Colonel Lloyd again professes that no Endeavours shall be
wanting on his part to give His Lordship the Satisfaction he
requires with regard to the Western Shore Rent Roll which he
has directed M' Ross (who has the Care of perfecting them for p. 221
him) to make out with all possible Dispatch. I have not yet
been able to get Parkers Bill renewed, neither can I get a Bill
of Excha to remit to yourself at this time, but I shall be able to
provide myself within this Fortnight & will take Care to send
both by a Gent" who will sail hence about that time. I doubt
not but you will long before you receive this hear of Lord
Loudon's safe Arrival, he is now at Albany & probably will
for some time continue there as the Provincials will not accept
of the Assistance or act in Conjunction with any of the Regular
Troops on the Expedition ag'' Crown Point, however His
Lordship has disposed of two Regiments in such a manner as
to keep open the Communication between the Provincial Army
& Albany, & to cover their Retreat in case they should prove
less succesfuU than they themselves expect. General Aber-
crombie is gone to Oswego but we fear that as the French are

466 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. superiour on the Lake he will not be able to act offensively this
Season. Since I left the Frontiers an Accident has happened
in Pens* which has a good deal alarmed the Inhabitants;
You may remember that last Sepf & Ocf several Forts were
ordered to be constructed on the Frontiers of that Province &
that a considerable Number of Men were voted by the Assem-
bly to garrison them & protect the Inhabitants, one of these
Forts called Fort Granville was built on Juniata about 20 Miles
West of the Susquehanna River & has been generally garri-
soned with a Company of 70 Men, during the time of
Harvest large Detachments it seems have been always out to
cover the People while they were employed in securing their
Grain & at the time when the Fort was attacked there was but
a Subaltern & 25 private Men therein. The party of French &
Indians who attacked it found means to set the Fort on fire &
in attempting to extinguish it the Subaltern & some Men were
killed whereupon the Rest surrendered Prisoners at Discretion ;
the Enemy having utterly destroyed the Fort erected a French
Flag & were marching off with the Prisoners towards the Ohio
when one of them made his Escape, & by him we have the
preceeding Account, I cannot learn what Number of the
Enemy there was but we are told that a French Letter was left
near the place where the Fort stood. As I apprehended that
the French would e'er long teach their Indian Allies to approach
& set fire to our Stoccado or Wooden Forts I thought proper
p. 222 to build Fort Frederick of Stone, which Step I beleive even our
Assembly will now approve of tho I hear some of them some-
time since intimated to their Constituents that a Stoccado
would have been sufficient & that to build a Fort with Stone
would put the Country to a great & unnecessary Expence,
but whatever their Sentiments may be with respect to that
matter I am convinced that I have done for the best & that my
Conduct therein will be approved of by any Soldier & by every
impartial person. The Fort is not finished but the Garrison
are well covered & will with a little Assistance compleat it at
their leisure. Our Barracks are made for the Reception &
Accomodation of 200 Men but on Occasion there will be room
for twice that number it is situated on the North Mountain
near Potowmack River about 14 Miles beyond Conegochiegh
& four on this Side Licking Creek, I have made a purchase
in the Governor's Name for the use of the Country of 150
Acres of Land that is contiguous to it which will be of great
Service to the Garrison & as well as the Fort be found of great
use in case of future Expeditions to the Westward for it is so
situated that Potowmack will be always navigable thence
almost to Fort Cumberland, the Flatts or Shallows of that
River lying between Fort Frederick & Conegochiegh. It is

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 467

probable this Fortification will cost the province /2000. but I Letter Bk.i.
am told that one is raising at Winchester in Virg^ that will not
be built for less than four times that Sum & when finished will
not be half so good. We have now recruiting Parties in every
County, from the Royal Americans & the Nova Scotia Regi-
ments who distress the people exceedingly by taking their
Servants agreeable to the Act of Parliament which is said to
have passed however I think the People richly deserve it, they
have brought it on themselves & they & the Pensilvanians will
feel the Burthen of it as there are more Indented Servants in
these two Colonies than in all the Rest & as the people cannot
well manage their Business without their Assistance. Some
of our Planters in Baltimore have I hear risen on the Officers &
rescued their Servants by force but I shall instantly take
effectual Measures to prevent Attempts of that Sort for the
future, lest the Officers should complain that His Majesty's p- 223
Service is obstructed by Connivance of the Government.
This I foresee will lay me under great Difficulties, for the
People how ungrateful soever they may be will expect that
I should protect them, & my giving the least Countenance to
the Recruiting Officers will probably bring on me the ill Will
of the people, while both my Duty to His Majesty & the ■
present State of our Affairs on the Continent incline or rather
compel me to encourage the Recruiting Service to the utmost
of my power

I am S' &c.

P. S. Since the above was writ I have received Letters
advising me that a party of Indians came down from Pens*
on the Inhabitants of this Province who dwelt near Conego-
chiegh & have cut off many of them, thus if the Pensilvanians
do not stand their Ground we shall have not only a Western
but a Northern Frontier also to defend ag" those Savage
Enemies.

[Denny to Sharpe.] Original.

Philadelphia August 23'' 1756 —

Sir

The Proprietaries having done me the Honor, with the Kings
Approbation, to appoint me the Governor of this Province, I
take this opportunity to inform you of my having published
their Commission and taken upon me the Administration.

I shall be extreamly glad to embrace all occasions of pro-
moting his Majesty's Service and the General Interest of the
Colonies, and as without an Union of Councils and a good

468 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Correspondence between the several Governors little good is
to be expected, I shall take the Liberty to communicate to you
from time to time whatever Intelligence I shall receive as well
as the several Steps I shall take for the Publick Service, upon
which I shall be obliged to you to give me your sentiments,
which will always have a great weight with me.

I hope I shall be enabled to act with spirit at this important
Juncture when nothing less than the preservation of this Prov-
ince in particular and that of the Colonies in general is so
nearly concerned.

It will give me sensible pleasure if in the Course of my
Administration I shall have it in my power to render you any
Service. I am

Sir
Your most obedient
humble Servant
William Denny.

Letter Bk. Ill [Sharpe to Dinwiddie.]

23"^ of August 1756 —
S'

I embrace this Opportunity by Col° Ludwell to thank you
for your Letter of the 10''' of lune & the Treaty therein con-
tained, while I was on our Frontiers at Fort Frederick Col"
Washington paid me a Visit & informed me that he was also
by your Orders raising a strong Fort at Winchester to which
as soon as it should be compleated the Stores were to be
removed from Fort Cumberland this Step is in my Opinion
very expedient as there is no probability of our carrying on an
Expedition to the westward this Season & lest such a Bait
should before next Spring allure the Enemy & induce them to
attack that Fort the Reduction of which a large Body of them
may not think impracticable. This morning 1 have received a
Letter from Governor Morris wherein he informs me that Fort
Granville (which the Pensil^ Commissioners had constructed
last year on the Western Frontiers of that Province was on
the 30"' ult attacked & burnt by a Body of French assisted by
a Number of Indians all under the Command of a French
Officer. There were but a Lieut' & 24 Men in the Fort when
it was attacked the Rest of the Garrison & Officers being out
to cover some people who were reaping & securing their
Grain. The Lieut' Sz; a few men being killed the Rest of the
Garrison surrendered & were all except him who brings this
Account carried away prisoners the young Men & the Women
by the French & the older Men & Children by the Indians On

Correspoitdejice of Governor Sharpe. 469

or near the place where the Fort stood they set up & left a Letter Bk.iii
French Flag & also as it is said a French Lett' but of the
Lett' Gov' Morris says nothing. This Accident & some Rav-
ages that have been lately committed in Cumberland County
has it seems so terrified the Pensilvanians who were setled in
that part of the Country that they are deserting their Habita-
tions very fast & will probably e'er long unless the Assembly
makes better provision for their Defence all retire over the
Susquehanna which Governor Morris says he expects will be
their extreme Frontier. As the Inhabitants have evacuated a
Fort that was built at M'Dowel's Mill & which kept the Com-
munication open between the Inhabitants & Forts Shirley &
Litdeton M' Morris seems in pain for those two places which
he says if all Communication with them should be cut off
would become an easy Conquest but to prevent so fatal an
Accident I propose if the Council whom I am just about to
meet approve thereof to order one of our Officers & a Detach-
ment of 50 men from Fort Frederick to M'^Dowels or some
other of their Forts till their Assembly which is met come to
some Resolution & can send their Back-Inhabitants some assist-
ance, Fort Granville was according to the Information I have
heretofore been able to get situated a little to the Northw'' of
the luniata & about 23 Miles west from the mouth of that
River. Forts Lyttelton & Shirley lie to the Southward of
luniata, the latter about 20 miles Eastward of Ray's Town & 25
North of one I had built near Potowmack on Tonallaway Creek,
which our Assembly by the Act they made last Session for
granting a Supply for the Defence of this Province obliged me
to abandon & destroy because it was five or Six Miles beyond
our present Settlements The Fort which I have been building
& which I have left our Troops to finish is almost close on Potow-
mack & upon the North Mountain We face the Bastions &
Curtains with Stone & shall mount on each of the Bastions a
Six pounder. The Barracks will receive & lodge very com-
modiously 200 Men beside Officers & on Occasion near twice
that number. I do not know whether our Commissioners will
have Money enough to compleat it agreeable to my Plan, as
yet I think it has not cost more than ^1000 & even that some
of our Patriots seem to think a large Sum & have intimated
to their Constituents that a Stoccado Fort would have been
sufficient & might have been built at a much less Expence.
however I persuade myself that this Accident which has hap-
pened in Pensilvania will incline those Gent" to change their
Opinion, & convince them that excessive Frugality is not
always the best Oeconomy. I do not learn from Col° Ludwell
that Lord Loudon expects much from these two Colonies this
year, if His Ldp writes to you otherwise or if you think of

470 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk.iii Convening your Assembly on the Receipt of His Letters I shall
be much obliged to you for advising me thereof, as I also
should for Copies of your two last Supply Bills — with the
greatest Regard I am &c

[Sharpe to Gov. Lyttelton.]

as** of August. 1756.
Sir

I am favoured with your Letter advising me of Your safe
Arrival in your Governm' upon which I heartily congratulate
you & wish you much Ease & Satisfaction in your Adminis-
tration. As I am persuaded that a Friendly Correspondence
between the Governors of these several Colonies is in the
present State of Affairs exceedingly expedient, your Declara-
tion on that head is very acceptable & I beg leave to assure
you that I shall with the greatest Readiness contribute as much
as is in my power towards the Execution of any thing whereby
His Majesty's Service may be promoted. I should have done
Myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of Yours sooner
but had no Opportunity of Conveyance from the Western
Frontiers of this Province where I have been a considerable time
building a Fort, & whence I am but just returned. A few
Days since a Party of Indians did some Mischief in this Prov-
ince but an Accident which happened in Pens^the 30"' Ult has
much more alarmed the Frontier Inhabitants of that Colony &
made them think of retiring to the more populous parts of the
Country Eastward of Susquehanna. One of the Forts that
were built last year on the Western Side of Susquehanna
(called Fort Granville situated on the Juniata about 20 miles
Distance from its mouth was on the Day abovementioned
attacked & utterly destroyed by a party of French & Indians
suposed to be about 150 under the Command of a French
Officer, the Garrison at that time consisted of a Lieut' & 24
men only, the rest near 50 in Number being out to cover some
people who were reaping & getting in their Grain. The
Lieutenant & a few of the men being killed & the Fort set on
fire by the Enemy those who survived surrendered prisoners
at Discretion & were carried off by the French who fixed up &
left on or near the place where the Fort stood a White Flag
this is all the News I can send you from these parts ; from the
Northward I hear nothing but that the provincial Troops are
on their march toward Crown Point alone, having determined
in a general Council that they would not accept of the Assist-
ance of two of the European Regiments which Lord Loudon
offered His Lordship has however ordered the Regiments to
cover them & keep the Communication open between Lake
George & the Inhabitants. I am &c —

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 471

[Sharpe to Gov. Lawrence.] i

24'*" of Auo^ust I7s6 —
Sir

I am favoured with your Letter dated at Hallifax the i" of
luly & in Answer thereto beg leave to assure you that None of
the French who were imported into this Province last year from
Nova Scotia have been suffered either by Land or Water to
return again thither. I did indeed sometime ago hear that
those who were by you sent to S" Carolina had embarked in
some small Vessels & were returning Northw'' but I could never
learn that any of them landed in this province to refresh them-
selves or on any other Account; You may be assured that if
any of them should hereafter touch here 1 will prevent their
reembarking & that I will by having the inclosed Act of
Assembly strictly put in Execution within this Government
hinder any of those that were sent hither from returning to
give you Trouble or Uneasiness

I am &c

[Sharpe to Morris.]

25"^ of Aug'' 1756—
Sir

I am now to thank you for several Letters that You favoured
Me with while I was on the Frontiers & to beg your Pardon for
delaying so long to acknowledge the Receipt of them. I hear
M' Pownall has thought proper to publish his Reasons for
refusing the Govern' of Pens^ I cannot take upon me to say
whether he deserves the Applause that he receives of some for
that Behaviour, tho' it must be presumed he knew best what
Step it was most advisable for him to take when he declined
accepting M' Penn's Offer, No doubt as you intimate he has
a more desirable Govern' in view & tho he should fail of that
he cannot I am told miss of Pensilv^ whenever the Governors
of that Province shall become elective. On the Receipt of the
Letter of the is'*" Inst, acquainting me with the Reduction of
Fort Granville. I was about to send Orders to Capt Dagworthy
to send a Detachment of 50 Men from Fort Frederick to cover
Your People & keep open the Communication between Forts
Lyttelton & Shirley & your Inhabitants, but the same Morning
before the Council (without whose Advice I could not regu-
larly order our Rangers out of the Province) could meet an
Express arrived with Letters from Fort Frederick & the Fron-
tiers advising me that a large party of French & Indians made
an Incursion into this Province also & cut off many of our
People who dwelt on or near Conegochiegh. One of the

472 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill Parties that Dagworthy sent out on the Alarm discovered Ten
of the Enemy but could not come up with them as they left
their Luggage & ran off as soon as our Men appeared. I find
the People of Frederick have been terrified by these Accidents
at least as much as those of Cumberland County & that if your
distant Inhabitants should once begin to retire to the more
populous parts of Pens'* ours will ins]:antly follow their Example.
I am sorry to find that notwithstanding the unhappy Condition
of many of their Constituents Your Assembly seem still deter-
mined to persevere in their old Course & that the Ease &
Satisfaction which you should have enjoyed is to be all reserved
for your Successor, but since that must be the Case I hope he
will agreeable to Your own Desire soon releive you on Condi-
tion that our Friendship survives your Title & that you will
after you become a private Gentleman continue to favour me
with your Correspondence. If your Assembly should continue
the Act for an Embargo please to advise me thereof that I may
make the proposal to ours tho I apprehend they will not be
very fond of it & will be apt to say that Virg^ as well as Pens"
should first set us an Example. They are to meet the 4"'' of
Oct' next to hear what has been lately recommended to us &
them by the Secretary of State's Circular Letters particularly by
that concerning Indented Servants. Pray have you seen or
can you get me a Copy of the Act of Parliament that is said
to have been made to impower the Officers to enlist them.
An Extract of such an Act has been produced here but as it is
not authenticated Some of our People question whether they
are obliged to pay strict Obedience thereto. The Officers
however of the Nova Scotia Regiment have enlisted great
Numbers of our Servants & paid for some of them (whose
Term was about to expire) in proportion to the purchase
Money that their Masters gave for them & the time they had
to serve. A few of the Planters it is said have made some
Opposition & taken away their Servants from the Officers but
I shall endeavour to prevent any thing of that Sort for the
future, tho many of the Lower Class of People will be ruined
by these proceedings unless the Assembly grants them Releif,
Pray how is the Act relished in Pens'" I shall only desire our
Assembly to appropriate part of the /40000 to reimburse the
Masters whose Servants have or may enlist & as I have no
Favours to ask of them at this time they may possibly come to
some Resolution by the time that the Campaign can be closed
& Lord Loudoun send me farther Orders, how ended Your
Treaty with the Delawares? I beleive their name is not in
great Esteem with our back-Inhabitants notwithstanding Your
Treaty & General Abercrombie's & S' W'" lohnson's Lett" in
their favour. That you may enjoy perfect health & be happy
is the sincere Wish of D' S' &c

Correspofideuce of Governor Sliarpe. 473

[Sharpe to Gardner.] Liber j. r.

& u. s.
1753-67.

p. izg

Your Letters of the 15"' & 21" Instant have been received
and laid before his Lordship's Council, by whose Advice I now
desire and recommend it to you to take your Evidences before
some Provincial or County Magistrate & let them make Oath
to the Truth of what you alledge against Mr. Ridgley and
several other Persons of Baltimore County the Magistrate
will thereupon issue his Warrant and have the Offenders
brought before him, and on their Appearance will bind them
over to the next Assizes for that County at which you will
attend with your Witnesses, and I shall give Orders to the
Attorney General to do his Duty on that Occasion. I hope
that by this Means all Cause of future Complaints from
Gentlemen who may be sent hither on the recruiting Service
will be removed and that an effectual Stop will be put to Such
violent Proceedings as are mentioned in your Letter. You
may be assured that I shall always to the utmost Power
Encourage and promote the Service in which you are engaged,
and from his past Conduct I flatter myself the Gendeman to
whom you say you applied will by his Behaviour on this Occa-
sion convince you that none is more disposed than himself to
forward and promote his Majesty's Officers.

I am S' &c.
H. S.
Annapolis 26 August 1756
To Captain Gardner &c.

[Sharpe to Loudoun.] Letter Bk. in

30"' of August 1756 —
My Ld

Your Favour of the 20"' Inst, advising Me of the unhappy
Accident that you conclude has happened to the westward I
have just received, for the early Intelligence I return Your Ldp
thanks as it might be a means of preventing in some measure
the fatal Consequences that these Colonies have reason to
apprehend from such an Event. We have already 200 Men
in & about Fort Frederick which I have been building on our
Western Frontiers & I have now ordered 200 of the Milida
also to patroU on this Side the Fort to cover the Inhabitants or
on Occasion to act in Conjunction with the Garrison. Your
Ldp has been already informed that there is in our Treasury
^25,000 Currency which is appropriated towards carrying on
an Expedition to the westward. Part of this I persuade Myself
the Assembly will agree to appropriate otherwise, I shall

474 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

LetterBk.iii instantly convene them & laying Your Ldps Lett"^ before them
exhort them to take such Measures as the present posture of
Affairs requires. Instructions shall be also immediately sent
to the Military & Civil Officers of every County to enlist
Men for the Royal Americans agreeable to Your Lordship's
Commands & nothing shall be wanting on my Part to prevail
on the Assembly to defray that Expence but if I should in that
particular be unsucsessful I shall take the Liberty to draw on
your Ldp as I must advance the Money myself to the Officers
to whom I shall send such Instructions. If no Officer from
the American Regiments shall happen to be in these parts I
will send what Levies I can get to Phil" as Such an Embargo
shall be laid on all outward-bound Vessels laden with Provi-
sions as your Ldp directs & I shall always take the greatest
pleasure in being able to execute any other Commands that
your Ldp may think proper to signify to Y' Ldp's &c —

Liber J. K. [Sharpe to Col. Belt.]

& u. s.
p. 132 o

As some Advices which I have just received give me great
Room to fear that a large Body of ffrench and Indians will
very shortly make a Descent on this Province, and endeavour
to break up at once, all our Setdem" in the Western Parts of
Frederick County, and as it is thought expedient and necessary
to march a considerable number of the Militia to cover and
protect the distant Inhabitants and on occasion to act in Con-
junction with the Troops that have been raised and are posted
at Fort Frederick, and other places beyond Conegocheige, I do
hereby with the Advice of his Lordship's Council of State,
order & require you as soon as possible to send from the
Militia of your County" a Detachment of 100 Men under the
Command of a Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign to Fort Fred-
erick, where they will be joined by another Detachment of the
same number. After their Arrival at that Fort they will be
supplied with provisions by the Commissary M'' Ross, and on
their March thither the Officer must apply to the press masters
for such provisions and Carriages as shall be necessary with
which the press Masters are forthwith to furnish him on his
presenting my warrant, and passing such Receipts as the Act
of Assembly requires they may be supplied with some Arms
and Ammunition by Captain Peter Buder of Frederick Town,
but I would advise them to provide themselves with both before
they march. You must see that every man takes with him a
Blanket & Cloaths enough for a Month from their Arrival at
ffrederick Town before the Expiration of which Month they

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 475

will be relieved. These Detachments from the Militia are to Liber j. r.
patroll between the North Mountain and Conegocheige, the '^ ^" ^•
Comandant of ffort ffrederick will order two Guides or persons
who are acquainted with that part of the Country, to join each
of them, and in case it should by him and the Colonel of ffred-
erick County be thought necessary for the Detachments from
the Militia to act in Conjunction, they are to put themselves
under the Command of Colonel Thomas Prather who lives near
Conegocheige. You will give the Captain whom you shall
order from your County a Copy of these Instructions, and
direct him to keep a Journal of his proceedings while on Duty
to be returned me for the Assembly's perusal ; you may also
give him any other additional Instructions that you think neces-
sary for his better Guidance and Direction.

Given at Annapolis
30"* of August 1756.

H: Sharpe

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.] i

Aug'' 3o"> 1756—
S'

The inclosed I have just received by Express, the Letf from
Ld Loudoun will advise you of the Loss of Oswego & of the
Vessels we had on Ontario Lake. That from the Admiralty
Office I presume contains Instructions to you for granting
Letters of Reprizal, if it does I shall be much obliged to you
for a Copy of them & of such a Commission as you would
grant by virtue thereof. As no such Letter or Instructions are
sent me, should Applications be made to me for Letters of
Marque & Reprizal what would you advise me to do on such
an Occasion. Our Assembly meets the first Monday in Octo-
ber I apprehend you will convene yours also, on the Receipt
of Lord Loudon's Letf Be pleased to let me know what
Day you appoint for them & what you expect they will do in
Consequence of His Ldp's Lett' —

[Sharpe to Denny.] '

August 30"' 1756 —
S'

Your Letters dated the 23'' & 26'*' Inst. I am just favoured
with & heartily congratulate you on your Appointment to the
Gov' of Pens^ & Your Arrival in that Province, most sincerely
wishing you an easy & happy Administration ; Your Opinion

476 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk.iii that a Correspondence between the several Governors of these
Colonies is at this time highly expedient is exactly agreeable
to my own Sentiments & I beg leave to assure you that I shall
be proud of & shall endeavour to deserve your Confidence &
friendly Correspondence & that I shall on all Occasions freely
communicate to you on any Matter whereby these Colonies
may possibly be affected or His Majesty's Service promoted —
The Letter you was pleased to inclose me from Ld Loudoun
advises me as you imagined of the unhappy Accident that he
suspects has happened on Ontario Lake. Your Apprehensions
that this will have the worst Effect on the Indian Nations are I
am afraid too well grounded & I am of Your Opinion that
unless We can carry the War into the Enemy's Country We
shall in vain endeavour to secure our own. We have already
200 Men on our Frontiers but on this News I have ordered
out 200 of the Militia to act in Conjunction with them &
endeavour to cover our Western Settlements. The Letters
that were directed for the Governors of the Southern Colonies
I have dispatched to Gov' Dinwiddle. I shall meet our
Assembly as soon as possible & recommend it to them to take
such Measures on this Occasion as the present posture of
Affairs requires, if Your Assembly sets a good Example, early
Advice of it might contribute much to my Success & would
much oblige S' Y'' —

Original. - [Morris to Sharpe.]

Sir

M' Brook who will have the honor to deliver you this is a
gentleman that has for some time filld a Mission at New Castle
and has behaved in such a manner as to gain the esteem not
only of his congregation but of many others in this Province.
He tells me that the air of New Castle does not agree with his
health and obliges him to seek a settlement in his native coun-
try Maryland, You will permit me to give him this testi-
monial of his behavour and to recomend him as a sensible
worthy man to your notice and favour. I have the Honor
to be

Sir

Your Most Obed'
Humble Serv'
Philad^ Aug"' 30. Rob' H. Morris

1756.
Gov' Sharpe

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 477

[Dinwiddle to Sharpe.] Original.

Williamsburg Septem' 2^ 1756.
Sir

I wrote you last Saturday by the Post, since that I received
your Letter by Col° Ludwell & remark its Contents, I have
ordered Col° Washington, to remove some of the Stores from
fort Cumberland to Winchester, but by no means to abandon
that fort, as such a Step would greariy encourage the Enemy,
and if I be properly informed two hundred Men will defend it
against one Thousand or more if they bring no Cannon against
it, and I think it more than probable that next Spring an Expe-
dition will be conducted against fort Du Ouesne, so that the
defending that Fortress this Winter, I think necessary & will
be of great Service to all the Colonies to the Southward,
if you agree with me in opinion, some Men from your Prov-
ince to that Place will be very necessary.

\ have no Letter from M' Morris in regard to the Enemys
taking fort Granville, but it's no more than might be expected
from the inactive lethargick Supines of that Colony, or shall
we ever be at ease till the Enemy is drove from the Ohio,
they have committed many Cruelties in Augusta County, & I
fear will continue their Barbarity, unless Pensylvania, Mary-
land, & this Colony raise forces, and join in a Body to repell
their force ; our protecting the different frontiers only gives
them the Advantage of invading us where we are weakest, and
I fear they have very good Intelligence of all our Motions
from some Villains among us.

I hope the Pensylvania Assembly will do something hand-
some, now they have got a new Governor.

I am surpris'd your Assembly ordered the abandoning the
fort you had built on Tonolloway Creek because it was five
Miles without your Inhabitants. I am glad you have begun
so good a Fort near Patoemack, which undoubtedly will be of
great use, if they allow Men sufficient to garrison it. The
excessive Frugality of the different Colloniesis shameful, & far
from good Oeconomy or self Preservation.

Lord Loudoun has wrote me strongly for recruits for the
Royal Americans, but I am afraid I shall not be able to comply
with his orders, but shall do all in my Power. I enclose you
one of our Supply Bills for ^40,000 which I conceive will
answer your Purpose. I formerly sent you a Copy of the
Light house Bill being passed here & lyes now with the King
& Councell & will meet with the Royal Assent; if your
Assembly will pass one similar thereto in case you shou'd have
mislaid it, I send you inclos'd a ruf Copy thereof, and I doubt
not you will agree with me the necessity thereof, as a fort is pro-
posed to be built to mount twelve eighteen Pounders, which

478 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

will be a Protection to the Trade of both Colonies from Priva-
teers, several last War, came within the Capes & took several
of our Vessels, please, press it on your Assembly, & write
me their opinion thereon.

Your Letter of the 30"' by the Express I received with the
Melancholy Account of the Loss of Oswego, the Vessels on
Lake Ontario, & the Train of Artillery lodged in that Fortress,
which is confirmed by Lord Loudoun's Letter to me, and I
think he complains that Affairs were in great disorder on his
Arrival. The Loss of that important Place is extreemly
unlucky & if we don't succeed against Crown Point, its more
than probable we will loose all the Indians, and very likely
they will come down the Ohio, and invade these Colonies,
we are in a bad Situation to repell their force, but it may be
hoped that these Prospects may infuse a Spirit of resentment
into our People, & do at last, what they should have begun
with. I have sent for the Councill to meet me to morrow to
consult with them on the present Emergency, and if the
Assembly are to meet I shall give you notice thereof By my
Instructions I am directed to grant Letters of Mark, or Com-
issions, for private Vessells of War, & no doubt you have such
an Instruction, if not I think his Majesty's Declaration of War
qualifies you to grant them, as it's the Duty of every person in
Command to do every thing in their Power to distress the
Enemy. I send you Copy of what I have from the Board of
Admiralty, which relates only to the condemning Ships &
Goods. I have granted one Comission Copy of the form I
also inclose you.

It's impossible to say what the Assembly will do, but when
met shall give you notice thereof, in the mean Time I think
it absolutely necessary to urge the different Assemblies, to vote
handsomely for the raising a considerable number of Men, and
in Case of an Invasion on any one of them, that the whole
should join in a Body to repell their Force.

I am extreemely hurried in writing to the Gov''" to the South-
ward must therefore leave of by assuring you I am with
respects

Your Excellency's

Most obedient humble servant

Rob' Dinwiddle —

Lower [Hall to Sharpe.]

°^''^^y, Baltimore Town 5"^ of Sepf 1756.

p. 344 Sir

Your Instructions of the 30"' of August last came to hand
the same Evening, and agreable to said Orders we have

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 479

Drafted out of the Militia of this County one Hundred men Lower
to march under the Command of Capt. Tobias Stansbury as -p journal,
the Inclosed List; there is a few more but have Ordered the "7S4-57
Capt to discharge all but the above number. Also three
young Gentlemen are gone out Voluntiers near one half them
have no Arms, Part of those they have the Capt. has Ordered
to be impressed from a man near this Town which were for
Sale, he has also taken the Ammunition Lodged in this place.

I am also to inform your Excellency that one William
Roberts (who is esteemed a Man of Credit) was with us
Yesterday, and says he came through the South Mountain
Thursday last, this side of which he saw four Houses burnt
about four Miles from Major Ogles and that a Messenger p. 345
came to him yesterday morning to give him an Account that
four men were killed the same day he came through Mountain
and at the same Gap he pass'd which is not above Sixty five
Miles from this Place altho' the Danger is so near it was with
great Difficulty we got the number of Men.

I also received your Letter of 31" of August inclosing your
Recruiting Instructions I observe your orders and will do all
in my power to get Men.

I am Your Excellencys

Most Humble Servant

lohn Hall.

[J. Belt to Sharpe.]

To his Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esquire

Governor of Maryland.
May it please your Excellency.

I have the pleasure to Inform your Excellency that the
Detachment of a Hundred Ordered from the Militia of Prince
Georges County was made up intirely of Voluntiers, as p List
herewith, and that they all, except one sick man marched from
Bladensburg on Saturday the i 2"" Instant in high Spirits, under
the Command of Capt. loshua Beall, with the Instructions
received from your Excellency for his Guidance.

I am apprehensive this may have taken longer time, than
your Excellency expected but had it been effected with more
Dispatch, the Detachment would probably consisted Chiefly of
Draughted men, and I presume there cannot be the same
Dependance of Service from those, as may be Reasonably
expected from Voluntiers; many of ours, are of Good Familly,
and have Considerable property to defend and have Enter'd
into the Service of their Country, with the greatest Alacrity.

4So Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Lower I delivered a Copy of the Recruiting Instructions to each
To^rnar Captain of our Militia, with Orders to be Deligent, And I am
1754-57 Sorry we have not hither met with any Success.

I am Your Excellency's Most Obedient
Humble Servant
[Sept. 1756.] Jos: Belt.

Original. [Dinwiddie to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg Septem' 8'*' 1756.
Sir

I wrote you by your Express, to which please be referr'd, I
called the Councell, which agreable to Lord Loudoun's Letter,
we laid a Prohipition on the Exportation of all manner of Pro-
visions, which you may observe by the enclosed Gazette. I
have summoned the Assembly to meet the so"" when I hope
they will seriously consider our present Situation, & do what
is absolutely necessary in the present Exigency of our Affairs.

I would gladly hope Oswego is not taken. Lord Loudoun's
Letter to me is the 20"" where he mentions his receiving
Account thereof the night before, & I have Letters from New
York of the 23*^ that takes not the least notice of it.

This Express I send to Lord Loudoun he desires me to
raise recruits for the Royal Americans, and send them directly
to him, it's impossible to raise Men so soon, as to send them
to Albany to be in Service this fall, however I am doing all
in my Power to raise what Men I possibly can, but it will be
attended with great Difficulties, unless I procure an Act of
Assembly to make a general Draft from the Militia. I sup-
pose you will see it proper to lay a Prohibition on the Expor-
tation of Provisions from your Colony, as I think it ought to
be general in all the Colonies. I remain with great respect

Your Excell"^'"
Most obedient humble Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddie
Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. L [Sharpe to Baltimore.]

p. 223

1 3"- of Septal 756.
My Ld

I am sorry I should have such News to communicate but by
the inclosed Gazette your Ldp will see that Oswego with its
Guns Stores &c & the Vessels that Gen' Shirley had built on
Ontario Lake is fallen into the Enemy's hands, this Account

Correspondence of Governor Sharp e. 481

is confirmed to me by the Earl of Loudoun but His Ldp does Letter Bk. i.
not in his Letter descend to particulars or acquaint me with
the State of the Garrison tho it is asserted & generally beleived
that they were all but a few put to the Sword after the Com-
manding Officer had signed a Capitulation. This unhappy
Event has I find thrown the Northern Colonies into great Con-
sternation as they can no longer question whether the French
have a large Army in America & as their hopes concerning
the Success of the Provincials ag"' Crown Point become less
sanguine as the winter approaches. I do not hear that they p. 224
are yet in Motion from the Fort that was built last year on
Lake George & it is rumoured that they will hardly act offen-
sively this Summer. Immediately on the Receipt of Lord
Loudoun's Letter I summoned the Assembly to meet to morrow
when I shall in Obedience to His Lordship's Commands recom-
mend it to them in the most earnest manner to appropriate
part of the money lately granted towards raising a Number of
Recruits for the Royal American Regiment which is not likely
to be otherwise compleated & unless these Colonies will make
Laws for Levying men at this Conjuncture to fill that Regi-
ment & reinforce His Ldp 'tis not improbable that the French
will presume on this Conquest to advance farther into the
Province of New York or one of these Colonies with such a
Force as it might be difficult in the present Situation of Affairs
for His Lordship to oppose. The Pensilvania Assembly has
been sitting a Fortnight & seem still disposed to proceed in a
way that affords Governor Denny no very agreeable Prospect.
They have sent him a Bill for ^60,000 to be sunk as it is said
in 20 years tho they saw from some Instructions that were laid
before them that it was absolutely out of his power to accept
any Money Bill in such a Form. Should they persist in their
Obstinacy & refuse granting Aid to Lord Loudoun or a Sup-
ply for the Defence of their own Frontiers the Loss of Oswego
will not I am afraid be the only Misfortune that will happen to
us this Campaign. What can hinder the Indians or a Body of
French from advancing into the Heart of that Province ? Cum-
berland Co''' is I hear already entirely abandoned & the Indians
have lately fallen on the Inhabitants of York County, the
Western Limits of which do not extend beyond Monoccasy
which Your Ldp will be pleased to observe is not more than
70 or 80 Miles from this place. The Flight of the Pensilvani- p. 225
ans from the Western Parts of that Province has left our
Northern Frontier beyond Monoccasy much exposed, the
Enemy has now free Access to us thro Pens'" & if some Meas-
ures are not speedily taken for the Defence of that Colony
neither Fort Frederick nor its Garrison can be of much Service,
for our People will follow the Pensilvanian's Example, a Pas-

482 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk.i. sioii Very different from true Patriotism or Courage seeming
to have entire Possession of their Souls. Beside the Garrison
of Fort Frederick we have at present 200 men from the MiHtia
of Baltimore & Prince Georges Counties distributed on this
Side that Fort & about Conegochiegh, yet that Settlement is
I am advised almost broke up & several hundred Persons have
lately retreated thence & retired to the more populous part of
the County. Thus My Ld do these Colonies feel the horrid
Consequences of each others Remissness, vain must be the
Efforts of any single one of them & nothing less than a united
Exertion of their Strength can secure any from all the Calami-
ties of an Indian War. to put a Stop to the Incursions &
Devastations of these Barbarians they must act in Conjunction
& not content themselves with building Forts on their own
Frontiers, Let a Body of Men be marched to the Westward
& Another Expedition be undertaken by these Colonies before
the Enemy have farther strengthened themselves on the Ohio
& the Indians as well as their French Conductors will find
other Business than that which they have for this twelve month
most successfully pursued. But alass this proposition is not
likely to meet with our Assembly's Concurrence neither will
they be prevailed on to carry on an Offensive instead of a
defensive War tho Experience teaches us that the latter cannot
avert our Ruin. I have now given Your Lordship a true
account of the Situation of Your Ldp's & the neighbouring
Provinces & opened to Your Ldp the Prospect that presents
itself at this Conjuncture. Much will depend on the Resolu-
p. 226 tions of our Assemblies who are all sitting or about to meet at
this time. I hope for the best from them but confess my
Expectations are not very sanguine.

A Vessel that is to sail next week will bring Your Ldp an
Account of what is likely to be done here & 'twill give me the
greatest pleasure if I shall be then able to send Your Ldp such
an Account as may be agreeable, to do every thing that might
afford Your Ldp Satisfaction being the utmost Ambition of
your Ldps &c.

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

1 4"' Sept' 1756 transmitted by Capt Scott Duplicates by Capt

S'

Inclosed I send you Copies of all the Laws that were passed
at the Conclusion of the last Session of Assembly together
with a Duplicate of a few Remarks thereon. You will also
receive herewith an Account in the Gazette of the Loss of
Oswego together with its Garrison, Guns, Stores, Ammunition

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 483

& also of all the Vessels that General Shirley had built on Letter!
Ontario Lake. This News is confirmed to me by a Letf from
Lord Loudoun who is at Albany but His Ldp does not descend
to particulars neither have we any other Information concerning
the Number of the Enemy or Fate of the Garrison than what is
given us in the publick Papers. In his Lett' His Ldp is very
importunate with us for Levies for the Royal American Regi-
ment without the Assistance of which he apprehends it would
be difficult to oppose the Enemy should they presume to
advance into Pens'' or the Province of New York before the
People can recover from the Consternation into which they are
thrown by this unhappy Accident. Our Assembly is to meet
this Day to consider of the present Situation of Affairs & to
appropriate (I hope) part of the ^40000 in such a manner as
His Ldp is pleased to direct I do not conceive they will p. 227
refuse to comply with His Ldp's Requisition at this Critical
Juncture but sure I am that they will not send Men out of this
Province without the greatest Reluctance & unless an Act be
made for drafting them from the several Counties I am certain
t'will be impossible to raise any Number of free Men in this
Province. Few but Indented Servants have enlisted with the
Recruiting Officers that have been sent among us & that
Method of recruiting will distress the Country infinitely more
than a Decimation of its free Inhabitants. I am glad an Act
of Parliament is passed directing in what manner Servants may
be enlisted for That if any thing can will induce the Assem-
blies to take the Burden of Recruiting on themselves thereby
to prevent the Officers coming among us. The Pensilvania
Assembly has been sometime sitting but without any Design
as it is said of taking such Measures as the present posture of
Affairs & the deplorable Circumstances of their distant Inhab-
itants demand. You will observe what different Sentiments
Governor Denny & the Assembly entertain of the Condition of
the Frontiers of that Province, You may easily guess how
Maryland is covered by them when you are told that they have
scarce a Family remaining to the Westward of Monoccasy
which runs by Frederick Town in this Province, that the
Quakers have put Pensilvania in a better Posture of Defence
than the neighbouring Colonies & prevented the frequent
Incursions of the Indians the Publick Papers will no doubt
shew, to me 'tis really astonishing that the Assembly should
advance such Things & proceed in such a manner when they
are on the very Brink of Ruin & when nothing but the Exertion
of their whole Strength can avert the imminent Destruction
that threatens them. As the Pensilvanians retire & give the
Indians free Access to our Northern Frontier our People flee p- 228
also & tho the Garrison at Fort Frederick & the Detachments

484 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. of Militia on our Western Frontiers amount to 400 Men, yet
the fine Settlement on Conegochiegh is quite deserted & few
Inliabitants now remain beyond the South Mountain. What
an Opinion will this give you of our hardy & resolute Ger-
mans, Experience teaches us that they are possessed with much
the same Spirit as the Natives & that Bravery is by no means
their distinguishing Characteristic. It has been rumoured that
the Provincials will be scarcely able to proceed to Crown Point
this Season, they have suffered it seems a good deal from
Sickness & do not themselves entertain such sanguine hopes
of Success as they were used to do. You may observe in the
Gazette that there is room to hope Commodore Holmes has
taken some French Men of War off of Louisburg but We do
not always put entire Confidence in New England Fisher Men.
Since I received His Majesty's Declaration of War I have been
applied to for Letters of Marque which it is usual for Gov-
ernors as Vice-Admirals to issue in these Colonies but you will
be pleased to remember & remind His Ldp that I have no
Commission to act as Vice Admiral in this Province tho His
Ldp has appointed a Judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty.
I have myself undertaken to make out & with the Judges of
the Land Office to examine & authenticate a Rent Roll for this
County which I hoped to have compleated very shortly but this
extraordinary Session of Assembly will occasion some Delay
as I shall find but little time for such Business while they are
sitting. Inclosed you will see a Packett directed for M' lohn
Hide which is left open that you may if you will give Yourself
the trouble observe what a Task he desires to impose on me
upon the Hint you gave him concerning the Lands in Baltimore
County I am throughly convinced by his Conversation in
p. 229 London, His Transactions here & by the Letters & Papers
which I now return him that he is absolutely averse to selling
the Land or satisfying the Creditors & that all he endeavours
at is to save Appearances.

I find there is little owing from his Lands to My Ld, The
Farmers having made payment to His Ldp & whenever the
Land shall be occupied the Farmers will recover the Arrears
of Quit Rent. I have been unable as yet to get a Bill of
Excha for you or that of Parker's renewed, I am promised
one within these two or three Days but Capt Steuart waits for
my Letter & the Duplicate must be put on board a Vessel that
sails to Morrow, however I shall have an Opportunity of
transmitting it next Week & in the mean time am S' &c.

P. S. Since writing the above I have got Bills for £,\ 10 w'^''
You will find inclosed.

Correspondence of Governor S/iai'pe. 48 5

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.] Letter Bk.iii

15'" Sept^ [756—

My last Letf to B' lohn & Y'self was dated the 1 3"" of luly at
Fort Frederick a place of Defence that I was constructing on the
Western Frontiers of the Province at the Distance of about 1 25
Miles from this place. As soon as some Barracks were finished
for the Accomodation of the Garrison ; & the other Works
raised enough to cover the Men & to give the Officers an Idea
of what I would have done, I took my Leave of them &
returned hither the 16''' of last month having appointed that
Day for publishing His Majesty's Declaration of War which I
had received by Lord Loudoun. Since that time a Party of
Indians has advanced into Pensilv^ reduced one of the Forts
that Governor Morris & the Commissioners built last year on
the Frontiers of that province & made the Garrison consisting
of 25 Men Prisoners. Thence they made a Descent into this
Province & cut off some People that lived more than 1 2 Miles
on this Side our Fort. This Accident has so terrified our Back
Inhabitants that Hundreds of them have abandoned their
plantations & one of our most flourishing German Settlements
is on the Brink of being entirely broke up, beside the two
Companies belonging to the Fort I have ordered a Detach-
ment of 200 from the Militia to assist & protect them but I am
afraid that even this Reinforcement will not prevail on them to
stand their Ground, so deep an Impression has the Cruelty of
Indians made on their minds, & so little did these People
deserve the favourable Opinion that we heretofore used to
entertain of them. The Reduction of Fort Granville in Pens''
as I have above related has been attended with dreadful Con-
sequences in that Province, the Inhabitants of a whole County
that bordered on Us are retired for the most part over Susque-
hanna, from easy Circumstances they are at once reduced to
a State of Beggary & extreme Want & by their Flight our
Northern Frontier is left exposed for 30 Miles in length,
thus will these Colonies feel the Consequences of each others
Remissness & vain will be the Resolution or Efforts of any one
of them to put a Stop to the Devastations of these Barbarians ;
they must as they have been often told act in Conjunction &
exert their united Strength to find the Enemy Employment in
their own Country & to the Westward of these Colonies but
alass a Defensive War is the utmost that any of our Assemblies
will think of or provide for & such a War with Indians will
inevitably prove our Ruin. Governor Denny upon his Arrival
gave me some hopes that his Assembly would grant a very
considerable Sum of Money & raise Men for a Western Expe-

486 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill dition but by what I can find his hopes are all frustrated & the
Assembly after sitting a Fortnight continue averse to making
any Provision for their own immediate Defence unless the
Governor will accept a Bill imposing a Land Tax for 20 years
which it seems is a Duration of 19 more than by His Instruc-
tions he is at liberty to agree to. You will easily judge from
what has been mentioned that these two Colonies are in a
deplorable Condition ; Virginia is in much the same Circum-
stances & I find the Indians have lately begun with the
Inhabitants of North Carolina, in all the Northern Colonies
too they are at present in great Consternation on Account of
the Loss of Oswego & our Naval Force on Ontario Lake
I presume you will have a particular Account of that Affair
long before this can reach you all we have heard as yet is
that the Garrison consisting of about 1600 were made Prisoners
by a Body of 6000 French & Indians that laid Siege to the Fort.
This general Account is confirmed to me by Ld Loudoun who
has thereupon writ to me for a Number of Recruits for the
Royal American Regiment without the Assistance of which His
Ldps seems to think himself unable to oppose such an Army
as the French may possibly march into the Province of N York.
On the Receipt of His Ldp's Letter I met the Assembly yester-
day & have pressed them to comply with His Lordship's
Requisition by appropriating to that use part of the Money
lately granted for His Majesty's Service. I cannot judge as
yet how far I shall succeed with them tho I find they are in
general very averse to sending Men to the Northward &
draining as they say their own Country, but as the Officers are
now at Liberty to enlist Servants I think the most prudent
thing they can do will be to make an Act for raising at once
500 or 600 Men for His Ldp by drafting the Militia. As soon
as the Assembly shall come to some Resolution on this Matter,
I propose to push once more for a strict Militia Law & to
persuade them if possible to vote an Additional Number of
Troops for the Defence of this Province, If I succeed our
Frontiers will I hope be pretty well secured for the present &
we shall have a Number of diciplined Men ready to take the
Field in the Spring if an Expedition should be undertaken to
the Westward. As I do not press our Assembly to raise
Money but only to appropriate a Fund that already exists I
hope We shall proceed with harmony at this time for unless
they should think proper to blame me for constructing the
Fort of Stone & Earth instead of Wood & thereby encreasing
the Expence of it I do not see how they can express any Dis-
satisfaction at my Proceedings since last Session. I shall next
week by M' Wayne's Vessel acquaint you with my Success &
with any thing of Consequence that might happen before that
time —

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 487

[St. Clair to Sharpe.] Original.

■Qx gjj. Albany Head Quarters Sept' 22'' 1756

It gave me the greatest concern some time ago to hear of
your sickness, but as bad news travells apace in this Country,
my fears about you are seased not having heard any thing
about you for some time past. I am sorry you have had so good
an Excuse for not answering my last letter, had you not been
employ'd in securing your frontiers and out of order,! woud say
that you did not think it worth while to answer a Letter wrote
in the humour I was in when I wrote it, all the apology I
can make is that same stuck by me till Lord Loudouns arrival.
What has happend to us by M' Shirleys Conduct is enough to
alter the nature of Man, nor do I find he has altered his way of
thinking since he has been superceeded. I am far from thinking
my self out of harms way this Campaign, if the french do but
forbear their intended Stroke eight Days longer I think we may
give them a warm reception. Our Dispositions are good and
if they do beat us they must be very strong and the Stroke will
be hard. The french bear hard on our advanced post of fort
W"" Henry, a Comp^ of Provincials on the Scout had a brush
the other day. I am going up that way so being on the Spot
I shall be the better able to give you an account of things
In case I shou'd stay at Albany this Winter I must think of
laying in some stock of Wines, I am very well supply'd with
Claret and Madiera but no Port or any other Red Wine:
I shall therefore be obliged to you if you can get me a few
Hampers of Red Wine (Claret excepted) to send it to me.
I have heard nothing as yet of the Mozell Wine, but I suppose
as it is a Wine for Summer that it will arrive at York by
Winter. I have settled a Correspondence by the help of my
German friends for good Renish & Burgundy, I shall willingly
divide with you.

I think we must see one another about Christmas, therefore
shoud be glad you wou'd buy me a very good Horse, as you
have helped me out on the like occasion I need not tell you
what kind of one I want. If I come to Annapolis I shall expect
such a Horse, and if you come to this place New York I beg
you will bring him with you. I beg you will make my compli-
ments to M"^ Coutts if it be in your power to do any thing for
him I shou'd be glad of it, if not I must contrive to get him
something in this place. You see I do not write to you as
Gov' of Maryland but on all occasions I shall be glad to show
my respect to you as such, and as a friend to convince you of
the regard & Esteem with which I am Dear Sir

Your most obedient and
most humble Servant
His Excellency Horatio Sharpe. John S' Clair

488 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

I [Sharpe to Dinwiddie.]

26"' Sepf 1756.
S^

I now do myself the Honour to make my Acknowledgments
for your Lett" dated the 28''' of Aug'' & the 2"* Inst. I am
glad to find Your Accounts from Major Lewis are so favourable
& that by the measures you have prudently taken the Defec-
tion of the Cherokees has been prevented. Our Interest with
the Northern Indians is said to decline fast & I am apt to
beleive the Report is not without foundation. The Gazettes
bring you as particular Accounts as I have received of the Sur-
rendry of Oswego, neither have I had any other Advice of the
motions of the Provincial Troops or the four Regiments under
the Command of Lord Loudoun than what the publick papers
bring us. We are told that CoP Clapham is marched from
Shamokin for Venango with a Body of the Pens' Rangers, tis
reported that a Set of People there are much offended at these
proceedings of their IVIilitary Officers who were only raised to
act on the defensive & to protect the Inhabitants of that Prov-
ince. Our People also seem to be I think for Pacific Measures
for they have been now met a Fortnight & have hitherto
declined appropriating any of the Money that has been already
granted for His Majesty's Service. I am told they will pro-
ceed to Business very shortly & that they intend to begin by
calling me to Account for directing a Fort to be made with
Stone & Earth instead of Stoccadoes & for intimating to them
that they ought to use Dispatch if they would discover any Zeal
for His Majesty's Service. In Consequence of the Earl of
Loudoun's Letf I have enlisted more than 50 Men for him, I
hope to make them a hundred let the Result of our Assembly's
Meeting be what it will but I think such a number cannot be
raised in this Province for less than ^30Q St« «& ^3 St^ a man
is much more than the Officers of the Royal American Regi-
ment find themselves at Liberty to give. We have at this
time 200 Militia on our Western Frontiers beside the Troops
that are employed in building Fort Frederick I would gladly
comply with your Request by ordering a Detachment to Fort
Cumberland but really 'tis not in my power, I have desired the
Assembly to make an Augmentation to our Forces but dare
not entertain very sanguine hopes of Success. I have also
recommended to their Consideration the Affair of a Light
House but cannot learn how my Message was received I
am much obliged by Y"^ kindness in sending Copies of the
Instructions sent you from the Lds of the Admiralty Sz; am &c.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 489

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter Bk. i.

p. 229

3''Oct^ 1756.
MyLd

When I last did myself the honour to write to your Ldp I
acquainted you with my having issued a Proclamation for the
Assembly to meet the Day after ; I now send your Ldp a Copy
of my Speech at the Opening of the Session with the Addresses
of both Houses in Answer thereto. Your Ldp will observe
that I recommended nothing more to the Assembly than what
I was obliged to do by the Letters that I had received from the
Secretary of State & Lord Loudoun lest they should by a Mul-
tiplicity of Business be diverted from that on which they were
more especially convened. Notwithstanding this precaution
the Managers contrived to hinder the House from doing any
thing for a Fortnight & then prevailed on them to desire me
to communicate to them whatever Matters I intended to lay
before them this Session. This was done that if possible an
Occasion might be thence taken to throw something into the p. 230
Bill that should overset it, but I am in hopes that their Views
have been in a great measure disappointed as I learn a Bill is
brought into the House for appropriating ^5000 towards
raising Men in this Province for the Royal American Regiment
Sz another part of the ^40000 to compleat Fort Frederick &
raise another Company of a hundred Men for the Protection
of our Frontiers. A Bill is also brought into the House for
the better Regulation of the Militia but as there has not as
yet been any Debate thereon I cannot say what will be the Fate
of it tho I doubt the People in general are very averse to any
such Law. As Lord Loudoun on receiving Intelligence of the
Loss of Oswego writ in the most pressing & importunate man-
ner for a number of Recruits & promised that if the Assembly
would not be prevailed on to make provision for repaying the
Bounty Money that I might advance he would engage to see
me reimbursed I sent Instructions to the Colonels of Militia &
engaged other Gent" to enlist Men in their respective Counties
I have not yet received Returns from all of them but I con-
clude from what I have already sent hither that I shall by these
means get a hundred men for His Ldp before the Assembly
has made any provision for that Service. The Virginia As-
sembly did not meet till more than a Week after ours but I
hear they have already made provision for raising 500 men &
transporting them to the Royal American Regiment at New p. 231
York. I have not received any authentic & Circumstantial
Account of the Siege & Surrendry of Oswego but herewith I
transmit to y Ldp in the Gazette such particulars as are come
to us& which give us room to hope that the Indian Intelligence

490 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. about the Garrison's being massacred was without Foundation.
Your Ldp will also see by the Gazette that a Body of Men
from Pens^ have lately made an Expedition to the Westward
of the Allegany Hills & destroyed an Indian Town situated on a
Branchof the Ohio about 25 Miles above Fort Du Ouesne. It is
reported that three or four Indians of the Six Nations that hap-
pened to be at Phil'' when Col° Armstrong's Letter was received
S: published expressed a good deal of Resentment & said that
such hostile Attempts on their Cousins the Delawares should
not be long unrevenged; We are also told that some of the
pacific Gent° of Pens'' seemed to be surprized at Armstrong's
proceedings & observed that the Assembly did not grant Sup-
plies for carrying on an offensive War but only for the Defence
& Protection of the Frontier Inhabitants, however I hope this
is the Sense of a very few & doubt not but the Conduct of
Colo Armstrong will meet with general Approbation. Nothing
I am convinced could have rendered us so contemptible to the
Savages as our continuing so long on the Defensive & nothing
but such Expeditions into their Country will give them a better
Opinion of Us or do them any Injury. The Pens' Assembly
has at length after some Altercation with their New Governor
acted a more rational part than they have lately done tho I do
p- 232 not think their Resolutions even now manifest any great Zeal
for His Majestys Service. I have not heard how the ^30,000
that they have granted is appropriated but I suppose the great-
est part of it is for the Support of Troops to garrison the Stoc-
cado Forts & patroll on their own Frontiers, as more than the
^60000 granted last year for that purpose is already expended.
In my Letf dated the 1 3"' Sepf I advised Y' Ldp of the neces-
sity I was under of ordering "some Detachments of Militia to
march to Conegochiegh & cover that Settlement, This has
been attended with the Consequence that I hoped it would.
The People who abandoned their Habitations are again
returned & as no Indians have since appeared there I hope
they will not lose the Season of sowing their Grain which
would be attended next year with the most fatal Consequences.
Colonel Lloyd I hear will dispatch a Vessel for London the
20''' of this Month, by her I shall address myself again to Your
Ldp & beg leave to assure your Ldp that I am

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

5"' of Oct' 1756 transmitted by Capt.
S'

In my Lett' dated the 14"^ SeptT informed you that the Assem-
bly was to meet that afternoon in Consequence of a Lett' that
the Earl of Loudoun had writ to me upon receiving an Acco' of

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 491

the Loss of Oswego. I now transmit you a Copy of my Speech Letter Bk. i.
at the Opening of the Session together with the answers of both
Houses thereto, from that of the Lower a Stranger would be
apt to conclude that part of the ^40,000 was immediately
appropriated to the uses I desired & that e'er this an End has
been put to the Session. This however is by no means the
Case for we are but just now proceeding to I3usiness a whole p- 233
Fortnight having elapsed before the Gent" of the Lower House
were convinced that Oswego was certainly lost & that Lord
Loudoun was in earnest when he made Application to us for
a Number of Recruits for the Royal American Regiment.
They have at length framed a Bill for appropriating ^5000
agreeable to His Ldp's Requisition & another Sum towards
compleating Fort Frederick & raising a third Company of 100
Men for the better protection of our Frontier Inhabitants.
The Bill is to have a second Reading this Day & will I sup-
pose to morrow or next Day be sent to the Upper House for
their Concurrence. A Bill is also brought in for better regu-
lating the Militia but as it has not yet been the Subject of
Debate I cannot say what will be its Fate. I am sure the Situ-
ation of Affairs in America & the Circumstances of this & the
neighbouring Provinces in particular makes a good Militia
Law exceedingly expedient but the people in general are very
averse to every Law of that Sort & their Sense I doubt will
determine their Representatives. M' Hammond who is a
Leading Man in the House says he thinks it would become
them to recommend it to the people to provide themselves
with Arms & to learn to use them but that every Step farther
than that would abridge the Liberty to which as Englishmen
they have an inviolable Right. As Lord Loudoun was very
importunate for a Number of Men & was pleased to assure me
in his Letter that whatever Expence I should be at in raising
them He would see me reimbursed I writ to the Colonels of
Militia & some other Gent" in different Parts of the Province
& desired them to exert themselves on such an Occasion,
I have not yet received Returns from all of them but I have
good reason to think that I shall by this Step get about 100 p. 234
Voluntiers for His Ldp while our Assembly has been consid-
ering as they say in what manner they can best promote the
Recruiting Service. As they have in some Sort approved of
the measures I have taken in Compliance with His Ldp's
Request I hope they will not refuse to repay me the Bounty
Money I have advanced, tho really after what they have already
done I could not be much surprized at such a Resolution.
We are told that the Virginians have voted 500 Men for the
Royal Americans to be raised immediately, but they have in
vain been endeavouring these two years to compleat the Com-
panies that were voted for the immediate Protection of their

492 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. own Frontiers. In the inclosed Gazette You will see all the
News that we have lately received from the Northward,
a circumstantial or particular Account of the Siege & Surren-
dry of Oswego has not yet been sent us, You see there is
good reason to hope that what the Indians reported concerning
the Garrison's being put to the Sword was without Foundation.
We are also in hopes that the Success of Col° Armstrong will
have a good Effect by inclining the Indians to entertain a more
favourable Opinion of our Courage than they have lately had
reason to do & by inciting some more of our People to under-
take such sort of Expeditions. The Pensilvanians have at
length passed an Act for granting ^30,000 for the King's Use
but I observe they have not been easily persuaded to do so, I
have not heard how the Money is appropriated tho at the rate
they have lately expended it will go but a little way towards
securing their own Frontiers. The people who dwelt at
Conegochiegh are again for the most part returned to their
plantations under Cover of the Militia that I ordered to their
Relief but as they appear to be a Dastardly People I am afraid
the first Indian that shall be discovered on the Frontiers will
throw them again into Confusion & entirely break up that
Settlement. We have just received Advice that a Body of 250
French & Indians have invested Fort Dinwiddie a Stoccade in
Augusta County in Virg'' Col° Washington is marched from
Winchester to its Releif, but I presume at his Arrival he will
find the place reduced or the Enemy gone off, inclosed in a
Duplicate of my last Lett' I remitted You Bills of Exchange for
^iio a Second thereof I send you in this together with a
Bill for ^28 which is in full of Parkers renewed & the Baliance
due from &c.

Original. [Morris to Sharpe.]

Philad^ Octo-- 8"' 1756.
Dear Sir

Your favour I had the honor to recieve a few days after I
gave the government into M' Dennys hands, to whom I wish
a more agreable, and advantageous administration, than fell to
my share, and that he may be able to prevail on the Assembly,
to think the safety of the Province a matter of more import-
ance than the gratification of their own ill grounded resent-
ment, against a family that has done every thing they could to
serve a people and make them happy; what will be the Issue
of the sessions that begins the 14"' Inst I do not know, but
from the knowledge I have of the tempers of the men chosen
at the last gen' Election, I think it is not possible they should
act a reasonable part. —

Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe. 493

Our last accounts from Albany mention my Lord Loudouns
being within three mile of a french army, with Eleven thou-
sand men, and they are said to be thirteen thousand strong,
so that an Action is Expected, what foundation there is for
these accounts, and how they come attested I dont learn,
whence I conclude that what is said of the french numbers at
least, may be only conjecture, but be that as it may, I do not
wish to hear of an Action, in which we can gain nothing, but
may Loose a great deal; all designs of acting offencifly seem
to be laid asside for this year, and I do not know that we shall
have as many men next summer as we had this, unless the
New England governments are better pleased, than I imagine
they have had any reason of late to be.

The Loss of Oswego I esteem a very fatal blow to the
Brittish Interest on this continent, and must be owing to the
alterations made in the Plan of operations settled at New
York, which with great submission to better Judgments, I
think could not be changed but for the worse. 1 find the
N York scheme is to lay the blame of that affair upon Gen'
Shirley, but how Just their censures are the following facts will
shew.

Gen' Webb arrived at N York .... June 7""

Gen' Abercrombie arrived D° 15.

both arrived at Albany D° 25.

On the 26"* of June Gen' Shirley acquainted Gen' Abercrom-
bie of the state of Oswego and advised the sending two
Batalions there.

Bradstreat returnd to Albany on the 12"' of July having
thrown into Oswego six months Provisions for five thousand
men, and a great quantity of Amunition and naval stores, and
defeated a party of French and Indians on his way back. And
on the same 1 2''' of July Informed Gen' Abercrombie that he
had intelligence from his Prisoners, that a french army was in
motion and designd to attack Oswego; whereupon the 44
Regiment was orderd to hold itself in readyness to march to
Oswego.

Lord Loudoun arrived at New York, July 23'' —

D° arrived at Albany D° 29 — •

On the 1 2"" of Aug'' the 44 Regiment moved towards Burnets
field, with a number of Battoe men who had remaind Idle at
Schenectaday from the ii"* of July, and on the 19"' of Aug''
Gen' Webb then at Burnets field, recieved the news of Oswegoo
being taken, upon which he marched to the Oneida carrying
place and orderd the wood creek to be filld with trees, which
was accordingly very effectually stopd.

I have mentiond these facts that you might be satisfied of
the truth with respect to that important Loss.

494 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

A very worthy Friend of mine has requested me to recom-
end one James M'^Loghhn to you, who intends to apply for
the Sherriffs office of Kent County, and it is with some diffi.
culty I have prevaild with myself to mention him. But as I do
not know the man, I can only desire you will permit him to lay
his pretentions before you, and if he has sufficient merit I am
sure he will stand in need of no other recomendation to you.
I wish you much health and success in every affair you
undertake and am with great truth D' Sir

Your Most obed'
Humble serv'
Rob' H. Morris

t [Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

lo"' of Ocr 1756
S'

Inclosed you receive a Lett' that should have been sent a
Fortnight ago but the Post was just gone for Virg" before it
was delivered at the Office I am now to inform you that our
Assembly & I took Leave of each other yesterday after having
made an Act for appropriating ^3000 to raise 300 Men for the
Royal American Regiment; ^2000 to purchase & transport a
quantity of Wheat to New York for the Use of the Army & a
Sum of Money for finishing Fort Frederick, & raising another
Company of 100 Men for the better Protection of our Frontier
Inhabitants. I would have persuaded them to send a greater
number of Recruits instead of Wheat to His Ldp but as it was
determined by a Majority that the Latter can be more easily
spared this year than the other no Regard was paid to my
Representations, & as little to that Lett' of the Secretary of
State which recommends it to us to promote the Recruiting
Service by making the Masters of such Servants as may enlist
some Satisfaction. I am glad to hear of Success with Your
Assembly We were advised of the Dispatch you made when
we had been sitting three weeks & I am inclined to think the
Intelligence prevented our sitting twice as long on less Busi-
ness than you finished in five Days. S' lohn S' Clair was well
at Albany the 22'' of Sept' but about to proceed to Lake
George with what Design he does not say, neither can I learn
from anyone else what Motions are making in that part of the
Continent. I do not find that any Indians have lately appeared
on the Frontiers of Pensilvania or this Province which has
encouraged the people of Conegochiegh to return again to
their respective Habitations. We are told by a Person from
Phil-^ that a Vessel just arrived there from Europe brings an

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 495

Acco' of Pragues being invested by the King of Prussia & that Letter Bk.
Admiral Bing is lodged in the Tower. As Governor Denny
mentions nothing of it in a Lett' that he sent me by this Person
I know not what Credit is to be given to the Report. Our
Gent" were pleased to tell me in Answer to what I said to
them in favour of a Light House that it was a new matter to
them & therefore not hastily to be determined on & I beleive
they never will make any such Act as you desire & as I recom-
mended to them.

I am &c.

[Sharpe to John Sharpe.]

io"'of Ocf 1756.

In my last dated the 1 3"' Sept' I informed you that in Con-
sequence of a Lett' from the Earl of Loudoun I had issued
a proclamation for the Assembly to meet the next Day, being
unwilling to give them any room to begin Disputes or protract
the Session I only recommended it to them in a short & simple
Speech to appropriate part of the money that was already
raised to such uses as the Secretary of State & Lord Loudoun
required ; had they been disposed to promote His Majesty's
Service they may have framed a Bill for that purpose in a Day
or two at farthest, but notwithstanding the Alarming Situation
of Affairs at that time & the Importunity of His Ldp for Men,
our cool & circumspect Gent" sat a fortnight persuading each
other that Oswego could not have fallen into the hands of the
French as His Ldp had represented & consequently that there
was not an absolute necessity for their making such provision
as I had desired, however as the Gazette Writers have since
convinced them that their wise Conjectures were really without
any Foundation, they have at length proceeded to frame a Bill
for appropriating /"sooo to raise 300 Men for the Royal Ameri-
cans,2" 2000 to purchase & transport provision to the Army &
another Sum for finishing Fort Frederick & Augmenting the
Garrison with 100 Men. The Bill received my Assent yester-
day & I have rid myself of a Parcel of wretches whose
Company I begin sincerely to detest. The Virg^" Assembly
met a few Days after ours & having granted ^8000 for raising
500 Men for the Royal American Regiment & a pretty large
Sum for the Support & Encouragement of a Body of Cherokees
that they expect will join them broke up within a week while
we have to our Reproach sat five times as long doing less
Business. The Pensilvanians have also I find with much Diffi-
culty been prevailed on to wave their Disputes & to grant

496 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

£2,0000 for the King's Use that is for the better Defence of
their own Frontiers for as they had brought themselves ^i 0000
in Debt, the Remainder will at the Rate they have expended
this last year be sunk on their Frontiers in three or four
Months, The Men that were raised for the Defence of that
Province have lately made an Attempt on & reduced an Indian
Town to the Westward of the Allegany Mountains, & it is said
that another Body is marched ag" an Indian Town on Beef
River, but as no notice is taken of it in the Pens* Paper I am
afraid the Report is without Foundation. I do not find that
any circumstantial Acco' of the Siege or Surrendry of Oswego
has been yet received, but it seems the Intelligence concerning
the Garrison's being put to the Sword is without foundation
tho Gov' Dinwiddie has thought proper to mention it in his
Speech to the Virg" Assembly as an indisputable fact. In a
Lett' that I have lately received from S' lohn S' Clair he tells
me that unless the Enemy are very strong indeed he appre-
hends they cannot attempt any thing more this Season to the
Northward with probability of Success but whether Lord
Loudoun & all the Regular & Provincial Troops are to remain
on the Defensive only he does not say tho I am apt to think
that will be the Case as we hear nothing of their being in
Motion, We have not for a Month or Six Weeks been at all
disturbed by the Heathen (as our people call them) but they
have paid the Virginians another Visit & invested Fort Din-
widdie a Stoccade in Augusta County, Col° Washington is
marched from Winchester to it's Releif but I doubt not the
Enemy will have reduced the place or given over their Enter-
prize long before he can come up with them. So much for
general news. I am now to communicate to you something
that more particularly relates to myself & to desire Your good
Offices in case a Set of People whom I have some reason to
suspect should think proper to become my Enemies; You
may remember that I told you in a former Letter that the
Roman Catholicks were much dissatisfied at my having
assented to the Act for granting a Supply of ^40000 for His
Majesty's Service because it imposes a double Tax on the
Lands of all Persons of that persuasion. They are I find
determined to apply to His Ldp or the King in Council for
Releif, & to remonstrate by what I can find ag" my Conduct in
assenting to the Bill, in an Extract of a Letf to M' Calvert
herewith sent you will see what induced me to do so & I cannot
but think such Reasons will justify my Conduct. They have
given out that one of my Brothers has engaged to espouse
their Cause & to get the Act dissented to, but as you have
never given me a Hint to that purport I am inclined to think
they speak in such a manner with a Design to render me more
suspected of favouring them than I am already : If they had

Corresponde)ice of Governor Sharpe. 497

Gratitude I think they would consider how I have contended Letter Bk. in
with tlie Assembly in their behalf, I could have purchased
many Friends by giving them up when by acting a moderate
part I have given great Offence to their inveterate Enemies.
Were they well advised I think they would not make such a
Stir on this Occasion, for if they do not succeed in their Appli-
cations, the Assembly will be encouraged to make more severe
Laws ag" them, & if they should obtain Relief some of the
weaker Bretheren will very probably become so insolent as to lay
the Gov' under a necessity of taking notice of them & of having
them punished agreeable to the Tenor of the penal Statutes
which by an Act of Assembly made long since are declared to
extend to this province. Their priests hold large Tracts of
Land among us & their Children are frequently sent to S'
Omers for Education, these are in my Opinion great Indi-
gencies & such as are allowed in none of the Colonies but
Maryland & Pensilvania. I believe about xV part of our Inhab-
itants are of that persuasion & many of them are persons of
considerable Fortune. I know not what Interest they may
have at home but if themselves are to be credited it is not
inconsiderable I hope they will not think of addressing them-
selves to M' Calvert, at least that he will not Countenance
them, for I am persuaded nothing could be more impolitick
than his taking such a Step & I am sorry to find that many of
the people already mention on Occasions his having received a
foreign Education. He might perhaps speek to you or B' W™
on this Affair, if he should you will from this Hint be better
able to advise him what measures to take for His Ldp's, his
own, & the Ease & Satisfaction of

D B &c—

[Sharpe to Loudoun.]

12"' of Ocf 1756.
My Lord

I am now to acquaint your Ldp with the Resolutions of the
Assembly of this Province upon the Matters that in Obedience
to your Ldp's Commands I recommended a Month ago to their
Consideration & tho they have not granted such ample aids as
I could wish yet I hope your Ldp will take in good part my
Endeavours to obtain them. I have only succeeded so far as
to get provision made for raising 300 Men for the Royal
American Regiment with all possible Expedition including
about 80 that I have got enlisted while the Assembly has been
sitting. The pacific Disposition of the Natives & the great
Success of the Recruiting Pardes from Nova Scoria among our
Servants forbid me to entertain very sanguine hopes that the
Number voted will be easily raised but your Ldp may be

498 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. Ill assured that I shall use all means in my power to collect them
as soon as possible. Beside the Sum of ^3000 granted for
raising these Men ^2000 is given to purchase & transport to
N York a Quantity of Wheat for the use of the Troops under
your Ldp's Command in case such a Supply should be
acceptable. I would have persuaded the Assembly to grant
both Sums for raising Levies or to have left it to your Ldp's
Disposal but could not prevail & as I have found by Experience
that they will not advance at all unless they are permitted to
proceed in their own Way. I complied with their Humour &
accepted a Bill for the purposes abovementioned in the form
that twas offered. Nothing else worthy your Ldp's notice has
lately occurred in this Province. No Indians have been down
among the Inhabitants for a considerable time nor appeared
on this Side Fort Frederick the Assembly have provided for
the Support of 300 men to garrison that place & patroll on the
Frontiers till next April & I have ordered out a Detachment
of 100 Men from the Militia on the sarpe Service &c.

Oiiginai. [Morris to Sharpe.]

Dear Sir

This will be deliverd to you by M' Palmer who has lived
some years in this town and acquired the esteem of the gen-
tlemen and Ladys by a polite and sensible behavour. He is a
great master of musick plays as well on the Harpsecord as any
one I have heard, and if you have any turn that way will enter-
tain you highly.

To-morrow I take my leave of the Province of Pensilvania
and am going to a little farm I have near the sea coast of
Jersey where I promise myself more pleasure or at least less
trouble than I have had in my late Publick station.

Pownal is going home in the next Packet and I imagine has
still a mind for a western government, but had rather hold
one under the crown than under a Prop'' This is only my
conjecture and tis not impossible but many difficulties may
have been thrown in the way with a view to that end, as there
are some connections between him and the leaders here. I
dont learn who is to manage with the Gen' till his return, but
some body I am told is necessary. Gov' Denny is Just returned
from Carlisle, but I have not seen him to know whither any
exped" is agreed on against the Indians, my Judgment is
that we should follow the blow given by Armstrong which
would soon make them sick of the warr. I am D' Sir

Your most faithfull and
Philad Octo' 14. obed Humble Serv'

1756. Rob' H. Morris

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 499

[Sharpe to Calvert.] Letter Bk. i.

p. 235
16"' of Oct' 1756 transmitted by Cap' Nowel.
S'

I embrace this Opportunity of informing you that after pass-
ing an Act for His Majesty's Service &c and five others of little
Consequence I last Saturday prorogued the Assembly to the
last Day of next March. Inclosed I send you a Copy of the
Act abovementioned. The Militia Bill I spoke of was (as I
apprehended it would be) thrown out by a majority of the
Lower House, as you will see by a Copy of their Journal which
shall be sent by the next Ship that sails. As soon as an End
was put to the Session I gave Commissions for raising a Com-
pany of 100 men for the better Defence of the Frontiers & as
the person who is to have the Command of it is in some
Esteem with the people of his County I hope it will be soon
compleated. I hear from Fort Frederick that no Indian has p. 236
been discovered for a considerable time on or near our Borders
& that the Frontier Inhabitants are at present quite easy, one
third of the Garrison being always abroad & patroling between
Potowmack & the Temporary Line. I have also appointed
several Persons to recruit in different parts of the Province for
the Royal Americans but I am afraid that notwithstanding so
great a Bounty is offered & allowed by the Act it will be some
time before We can collect our 300 Men for that Regiment. I
have not received a Syllable of News from the Northward or
the Southward since I last addressed Myself to His Ldp
wherefore I shall not trouble him with a Letter at this time.
As I could no longer entertain any hopes of M' Tilghman's
perfecting the Rent Rolls or paying due Obedience to His
Ldp's Commands I offered M' W"' Goldsborough the Office
as I informed you I should but upon his declining it & assuring
me that his ill State of Health would not suffer him to accept
my Offer, I have appointed M' W" Thomas M'^ Tilghman's
Successor. He is a Gent" that has endeavoured to deserve
well of the Gov' The Son of M' Thomas of the Council, &
one that I persuade myself will not spare any pains to give
His Ldp the Satisfaction that he expects & requires. In
short I have consulted nothing in this Appointment but His
Ldp's Interest & Honour & hope M' Thomas will meet with
His Ldp's & your Approbation. &c.

[Sharpe to Fox.] i

28'" Oct' 1756.
R' Hon''''=

I have very lately had the Honour to receive His Majesty's
Instructions dated at Kensington the 5"" of luly together with

500 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

I two Letters dated the ly"" May & 18"' lune. I informed you
in my Letfof the i7"'of luly that the Legislature of this Prov-
ince made an Act near two years since for preventing the
Exportation of Provisions & Military Stores from this Province
to any Part of the French King's Dominions, that Act is now
farther continued & I beleive it is effectual & answers the
Ends for which it was made. I cannot on the strictest Enquiry
find that the Inhabitants of this Province traded or corres-
ponded with any of His Majesty's Enemies during the late
war & I will use my utmost Endeavours & take effectual Care
that no such Trade or Correspondence shall be carried on
during this. Whatever French Prisoners shall be brought
hither by Commanders of His Majesty's or other Ships shall
be received & treated as such Persons have usually been.
Since I did myself the honour to address you in luly I have
convened our Assembly & pressed them to make such Provi-
sion as you was pleased to require in your Letters dated the
13"' of March. They would not be prevailed on to make any
Allowance to the Masters of such Servants as have or may
engage in His Majestys Service, but I did after some time
persuade them to appropriate a Sum of Money for raising 300
Recruits for the Royal American Regiment, & another Sum
for supporting a third Company of 100 Men to garrison Fort
Frederick & patroll on our Frontiers till next April. About
one third of the Number to be raised at the Expence of this
Province for the Royal Americans have been brought hither &
deliver to such Officers of that Regiment as were appointed
to receive them & I hope we shall be able to get the Rest
within these two Months tho the Success of the Recruiting
Parties that have been sent from Nova Scotia & other parts to
this Province has much reduced the Number of those people
that were disposed to enhst in His Majesty's Forces — Nothing
worthy Notice has lately occurred in this Colony, the Indians
have made no Incursions these 3 months & I hope our Troops
are so disposed of as to render any further Attempts of His
Majesty's Enemies on our Frontier Inhabitants unsuccessful —
As a Sum of Money has been granted by our Assembly for
purchasing a Quantity of Powder & Ball for the use of the
Troops that have been or shall be raised for the immediate
Defence of this Province & Application made to me (by the
Merch' who is directed to procure it) for my Letter to shew
that it is for the publick & no private use, I beg leave to
acquaint you that I shall comply with the Merchant's Request
& grant such a Lett' as he desires hoping that he will on pre-
senting it obtain your Permission to export such Ammunition
as he might be ordered to purchase & transport hither

Sr —

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 501

[Loudoun to Sharpe.] Original.

Fort Edward 30"" October 1756.
Sir.

I have this minute, the favor of yours of the 12"' with an
Account of the bounty of your Government to us; for which I
am extremely obliged to them, and singularly so to you ; As
you will see by my Letter, that the Troops will be in your
Neighbourhood, I beg the Men may not be sent to New York,
and I will order Officers to receive them.

I am, with great Truth and Esteem,
Sir

Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant
Loudoun
The Hon''''^ Horatio Sharp Esq""

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter Bk. i.

p. 236
i" Nov' 1756.
My Lord

As I had nothing worthy Notice at that time to communicate
I did not address Myself to your Ldp when I last writ to M' p. 237
Calvert. I am now to acquaint your Ldp that one W™ Johnson
was yesterday brought hither from Fort Frederick by Capt
Dagworthy's Order who being examined in the presence of M'
& Col° Tasker y"^ Ldp's Chief ludge Attorney Gen' & myself
said that he was about 23 years ago born at a place called
Marcus Hook in the Province of Pens* where he was brought
up in the Romish Faith & resided till within those few years
when he removed to Baltimore County in this Province.
Soon after the Encroachments of the French on His Majesty's
Lands to the Westward became the Subject of Conversation
among the People with whom he was conversant he enter-
tained thoughts of going back to the French being moved
thereto by the Discourses of the Roman Catholicks with whom
he lived & one Priest Neal who frequently came among them.
The Priest he says would very often take Occasion to enlarge
on the Bravery Riches Happiness & Generosity of the French
Nation & upon the News of Col° Washington's Defeat in par-
ticular insisted much on the Generosity of the French Com-
mander for permitting the Col° to bring off his Wounded &
said he was convinced that if the English had gained the
Victory the French would not have been treated with such
Mercy & Tenderness. On his asking the Priest whether the
French would suffer any English person to come & reside

502 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. among them the Priest assured him that if he had an Inclination
to go to their Settlements he would be kindly received & well

p. 23S esteemed for such a Step. M' Neal he says spoke to him once
or twice afterwards in the same manner & when he found him
resolved to undertake the Journey gave him a Packet of Letters
to the French Commandant at Venango (whom he particularly
& very justly described) wished him a good Journey & gave
him a Pistole towards bearing his Expences thro Pensilvania.
This was done about two years ago after Col° Washington
had been defeated as I have already observed but before the
Indians had taken up Arms or the French committed any Acts
of Hostility on this Side the Allegany Mountains. lohnson
says he took Leave of his Maryland Acquaintance a few Days
after he had received M' Neals Lett' travelled thro Pens*
unsuspected & in 24 Days reached Venango & presented His
Letters to the One Eyed Captain who according to the Priests
Information had the Chief Command at that Fort. From that
time he has resided at the French Forts or in the IndianTowns
& I beleive notwithstanding his Professions to the contrary has
been frequently down with the Scalping Parties that have
committed such Barbarities on our Frontier Inhabitants. He
gives a particular account of most of the Incursions that have
been made since the action of the Monongahela into these
three Provinces & names many of the People that have been
carried away either by the French or Indians from our Borders.
In May last he says One Capt Stevil came up the Ohio from a

p. 239 large French Setdement near the Mouth of that River with a
Company of 58 Men & brought with him as much Provision as
would serve them 6 Months. These he says have done great
Execution this Summer in Pensilv^ & Virg* & 'twas this Capt
Stevil that reduced Fort Granville ; he is returned with his
Company to spend the Winter at home but is expected at
Fort Du Ouesne early in the Spring with a much larger Body.
The French told this Man they should be reinforced at the
same time from the Northward & that they hoped to have
3000 French & Indians in May next to oppose the English if
they should presume to undertake an Expedition to the West-
ward or if we should not raise an Army for that purpose to
make an attempt on either Virg^ or this Province. The
Indians that the French depend on for Assistance on such an
Occasion & that have already declared in their favour are the
Shawanese Delawares Picts Mingoes Tuckahoes & Tawaes,
who will it is supposed be able to furnish about 1400 or 1500
fighting Men. The Garrison of Du Quesne does not he says
at this time consist of more than 200 Men, nor that at Venango
of more than 60, but a great Number of Indians are lodged in
Barracks & Huts that have been built for them just beyond

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 503

Fort Du Oiiesne & a great many have Cabbins near & about Letter Bk. i
Venango. There are fifteen Cannon eight of them i 2 Lbrs
mounted at Du Quesne & Nine Cannon of a less Size are
mounted in Venango. This last place is not very defensible
at present but the Enemy have been busy all the Summer in p. 240
collecting Materials for building a very strong Fort there next
Spring. About 200 French Families & some Germans have
been setled between Venango & the Head of Buffeloe River to
raise Corn for the Garrisons, & a considerable Tract of Arable
Land is cleared also at a small Distance from Fort du Quesne
for the same purpose. The Description he gives of Fort Du
Quesne differs little from what we have heard from others but
I find they have built a Magazine just without the the Fort &
finished the Ditch & Covert Way that they were making on
this Side the Fort from One River to the other. This lohnson
it seems was sent out the Beginning of last Month with a
Detachment of 160 French & Indians from Fort Du Quesne
to make a Descent on our Frontier Inhabitants, or if it should
be thought practicable to attempt the Reduction of Fort Cum-
berland ; When the Detachment came near the Fort, Himself
& ten others were ordered to advance & make what Discoveries
they could & then to return to the Rest of the Detachment.
The fellow had accordingly concealed himself behind some
Logs that lay opposite to the Fort on the Bank of Wills Creek
& had remained there near three hours when he was discovered
by two Men & a Woman that came down from the Fort to the
Creek's Side. Apprehending the Soldiers would otherwise
fire at him he immediately crossed the Creek & pretended to
them that the Indians had contrary to his Inclination detained
him Prisoner & that he joyfully embraced that Opportunity of
escaping from them. He said not a Word of the Detachment p. 241
or Officer that had ordered him thither, & by what I can learn
was received & treated by Colo Steven who commands there
as other persons have been that have made their Escape at
times & retired thither for Protection. It happened that a
party of Men from Fort Frederick were at that time at CoI°
Cresap's Plantation & as the Fellow seemed to be pretty well
acquainted with the late Transactions of the French in this part
of the Continent & their Strength On the Ohio Col° Steven
delivered him up to them with a Letter acquainting me with
his reasons for sending him hither. On his Way to Fort
Frederick he acknowledged to the Officer of the Party that he
had been sent to Fort Cumberland by the Enemy on the Errand
abovementioned & upon being strictly examined by Capt Dag-
worthy on his Arrival at our Fort he confessed the several
particulars that I have been relating & I do not perceive that
he has on his Examination before us varied in any one Circum-

504 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. Stance. We have thought proper to recommit him for another
Examination next week & in the mean time the Attorney
General who is gone to Baltimore Court will endeavour to
learn where some Parties that the Prisoner has named & where
the Priest particularly might be found for as he has no certain
Abiding place, but resides sometimes in this Province & some-
times in Pens" it might not perhaps be easy to apprehend him.
Since lohnson has been remanded to Prison I have received
P- -42 another Lett' from Colo Steven dated at Fort Cumberland the
25"^ of Ocf wherein he tells me that on the 19'*" of that Month
a Party from that Garrison discovered near the Fort & took
Prisoner an Irish Papist that had deserted thence to the Enemy
about 3 Weeks before & was now come back as a Guide to a
party that was advancing towards our Settlements. The
Enemy it seems were somewhat suspicious of him & as they
came by Fort Cumberland insisted on his performing some
notable Exploit in or about that place to convince them of his
fidelity, & promised on his giving them that Satisfaction to
confide in him as they had heretofore in Johnson who they said
was a faithfull Fellow & one that had never disappointed nor
deceived them. This Declaration the Deserter made just
before he was hanged & Colo. Steven immediately advised me
thereof, lest Johnson should impose on me as he had done on
him & thereupon obtain his Liberty. I am in hopes that the
Fate of these two Spies will save Fort Cumberland this Winter
& deter others from approaching so near, but unless we pursue
other Measures next year than we have lately in these Colo-
nies I think we can expect nothing less than that the Enemy
will make themselves Masters of that Place.

The last Advices that we received from the Northward were
that the French Army at Crown Point is much superiour to that
which Lord Loudoun commands on Lake George & that His
Ldp was intrenching himself under the Fort that S' W"" lohn-
son built last Summer on the Brink of the Lake. His Lordship
has we hear writ to Governor Denny & demanded of the Pens^
p. 243 Assembly a large Sum of Money for His Majesty's Service &
also required them to build Barracks at Phil" for the Recep-
tion & Accommodation of a Battalion of the Royal American
Regiment, It is said that the Assembly are by no means
pleased with this manner of writing however they thought
proper to comply with His Ldp's Requisition concerning the
Barracks, what Resolution they are likely to come to on the
other part of His Ldp's Letter we do not yet hear but I am
afraid they will scarcely answer the Earl of Loudoun's Expec-
tations. ■ For my own Part I am convinced that neither the
Assembly of that nor this Province have any thing so much at
heart as the Increase of their own Power & Importance & as

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 505

they find nothing can be done without their Concurrence their Letter bic. i.
Idea of their own Priveleges & Authority grows in Proportion
& theyseem very desirous to be convened as often as possible.
The Truth of this Observation I think your Ldp will be suffi-
ciendy convinced of by the Proceedings of our Gent" last Ses-
sion. The Journal herewith transmitted will shew that they
were not alarmed or very much affected with the News of the
Loss of Oswego ; but it would be almost impossible to relate
what Tricks were played by some to prevent their paying
any Regard to Lord Loudoun's Requisition. The Members
endeavoured for more than a fortnight to persuade each other
that His Ldp's Information concerning the Fate of Oswego
was without Foundation & consequendy that there was not
such an absolute Necessity for the Royal American Regiment
being instantly compleated. Afterwards they would have
inserted such a Clause in the Act for His Majestys Service
concerning part of the Shilling a Hhd as must have inevitably p. 244
damned the Bill in the Upper House, & they asked me as it
were by several Addresses to recommend it to them to make
some Provision for Arms & Ammunition that they may thence
take Occasion to begin Disputes & postpone or neglect the
Business on which they were especially convened & which I
had in my Speech at the Opening of the Session earnestly
recommended to their Consideration. Your Ldp will be
informed by M' Calvert (to whom I have already transmitted
a Copy of the Act) that Provision has been at length made for
raising 300 Men in this Province for the Royal Americans & a
Sum of Money also appropriated to finish Fort Frederick &
support a third Company of 100 Men for the better Defence
of our own Frontiers. As soon as the Bill was passed I granted
Commissions for raising the New Company, & also appointed
persons to recruit for the American Regiment, but I am sorry
to find that none of them have hitherto been very successful.
As M'Goldsborough declined acting as Keeper of the Eastern
Shore Rent Roll on Acco' of his Health I have presumed to
appoint M' W"" Thomas to that Office in Confidence that he
will not be wanting in his Endeavours to give your Ldp satis-
faction, & Reason to approve of such my Appointment. I have
also in Obedience to an Instruction that your Ldp was pleased
to give me some time since in favour of the Rev'' M' M^Pher-
son presented him on the Decease of M' Clagett to Will'" &
Mary Parish in Charles Co'^ which Step I flatter myself your
Ldp will be pleased to approve of. I am &c.

5o6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. HI [Sharpe to Fox.]

2^ Nov"' 1756.

When I did myself the honour to write the 28''' of Oct' I
acquainted you that in Consequence of an Act of Assembly
passed for that & other purposes Orders were given to a
Merch' in London to purchase & ship a quantity of Ammuni-
tion for the use of this Province, in Case therefore M' I" Buch-
anan our Merch' should be unable to ship Ammunition at this
time on Acco' of an Embargo I hope you will on his making
application be pleased to grant him an Order for exporting
3000 lbs of Powder & an equal Quantity of Ball or Lead to &
on Acco' of this Province I am &c.

Letter Bk. L [Sharpe to Calvert.]

p. 245

3'' of Nov' 1756. transmitted by Capt Noel.
S'

In my Letter dated the 16"" of Ocf^ I acquainted you with
the Issue of our last Session of Assembly & sent you therewith
a Copy of the Act that was with a good deal of Difficulty at
length obtained for His Majesty's Service. I now transmit
Journals of the Assembly's Proceedings during that Session
which I think will confirm what I observed in the first part of
my Letter dated the 5"" of Oct' tho the Journals do not discover
what means were used & what Tricks played to postpone
& obstruct Business. At one time twas given out & con-
fidently asserted that Oswego was not lost, then instead of
making immediate Provision for raising Men for the Royal
American Regiment the State of the Province must be enquired
into by Way of Amusement, afterwards I must be addressed
as it were to recommend it to them to appropriate a Sum of
Money for purchasing Arms & Ammunition that they may
thence take Occasion to insert such Clauses in the Bill for His
Majesty's Service as they knew would not be assented to, & to
make extravagant Demands on His Ldp. Understanding
with what Design such Addresses were presented I avoided
every thing that could possibly afford them room for beginning
a Dispute or for inserting their favourite Clause in the Bill that
was framing, however you will see by their Resolves what
were their Inclinations & how eagerly they embrace all Oppor-
tunities of saying & doing whatever they think will be dis-
agreeable. I have long been persuaded that nothing to Effect
will be ever done by these Colonies unless an Act of Parliament
is made for obliging them to contribute their respective Quotas

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 507

& to exert their united Force in Defence of themselves & His Letter Bk.i.
Majesty's Dominions. The Assemblies of Pens^ & this Prov-
ince more particularly have I think sufficiently shewn that they
have nothing so much at heart & desire nothing more than to p. 246
encrease their own Power & render the other Branches of the
Legislature odious or contemptible. They perceive that nothing
can be now done without their Concurrence & thence conceive
a great Opinion of their own Importance ; The Oftener they
are convened the less tractable they grow & become more
extravagant in their Demands on the Gov' I hear Lord
Loudoun has writ in a more peremptory manner than usual to
Governor Denny demanding a large Sum of Money from that
Province towards establishing a general Fund for His Majesty's
Service & requiring them to build Barracks at Phil' for the
Reception & Accommodation of a Battalion of the American
Regiment Lest the Soldiers should be otherwise ordered to
quarter themselves on the Inhabitants the Assembly will
perhaps think proper to provide the Barracks but tis a doubt
whether any Regard will be paid to the other part of His Ldp's
Requisition. In the last Letters that have been sent us from
the Northward we are told that the French Army at Crown
Point consists of more than 1 3,000 when all the Troops that
are under the Command of Lord Loudoun do not amount to
1 1,000. The people of the Northern Colonies are exceedingly
anxious about the Event of this Campaign & most earnestly
hope there will be no Action this year in that quarter. Our
Accounts from the Southward are I think less favourable tho
there is room to hope that the Report concerning the Cherokees
having obliged Major Lewis to surrender to the French the
Fort that He has at their own Request been building in the
Cherokee Country is without foundation. Two Spies have
been lately taken near Fort Cumberland. One of them being
known to have deserted from the Virginia Regiment the Com-
manding Officer ordered to be hanged & the other has been p. 247
sent hither for my Examination. I have acquainted His Ldp
with what the Fellow confessed & acknowledged last Sunday
before two of the Council, M' Brice, M' Bordley & myself &
as I cannot give you a more particular Account in other words I
shall give you the following Extract from my Letter to His Ldp.
(the Extract here inserted begins " He was about 23 years ago
born at a place called Marcus Hook," & ends with the words
" Lest lohnson should impose on me as he had on him & there-
upon obtain his Liberty.") I am in hopes that the Fate of these
two Spies will save Fort Cumberland this winter, tho unless
these Colonies pursue other measures next year than they
have lately I think we can expect nothing less than that the
Enemy will next Spring make themselves Masters of that

5o8 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. placc, & the Other Petty Forts that have been built on the
Frontiers of these Provinces. •! forgot to tell you in my last
Lett, that the Death of M' Clagett had given me an Oppor-
tunity of presenting M' ^PPherson to W" & Mary Parish in
Charles Co'^, As His Ldp was some time ago pleased to send
me an Instruction to provide for that Gent" I hope this Step of
mine is Agreeable to His Ldp's Intention & that it will also
meet with your Approbation I am :

[Sharpe to Dinwiddie.]

Novem"' 4''' 1756 —
S'

Col" Lee having just acquainted me with his Intention to
pay you a Visit very shordy I trouble him with this to inform
you that Col° Steven has lately sent hither a Person from Fort
Cumberland who was sent thither as a Spy by an Officer of a
Detachment of 160 French & Indians who were ordered from
Fort Du Ouesne to annoy the Frontier Inhabitants of one of
these Provinces or to make an Attempt on Fort Cumberland
if they should on Examination find the Reduction of that place
practicable. I presume Col° Steven has communicated to you
what the Fellow said concerning the Enemy's Strength behind
us at present & of their Intention to assemble & march a con-
siderable Body of Troops into one of these Colonies next
Spring. I cannot by this, but I will by the next Opportunity
send you a Copy of the Prisoners Examination &c.

Original. [Diuwiddie to Sharpe.]

Williamsburg Nov'' 12"' 1756.
Sir

I receiv'd Your Letter by Col° Lee. I shall be glad to hear
the Information of the Person sent you by Col° Stephens; tho'
from all Accts they cannot spare 160 men from Fort Du
Quesne, at same Time I fancy they may make an Attempt on
Fort Cumberland ; have therefore order'd Col° Washington to
call a Council of Officers, to consult if they think it may be
properly defended, in case the Enemy shou'd attack it; if not,
to send all the Ammunition &c. to Winchester, & abandon
Fort Cumberland, destroying every Thing that may be of use
to the Enemy — I have not yet receiv'd their Report.

I doubt not in the Summer they will march a Body of Troops
against these Colonies, I therefore think it our Duty to be

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 509

prepar'd for them; and if the neighbouring Colonies will agree
with proper Spirit to raise a Body of Men to attack the Enemy
in their own Places of Resort, I think will be much more
eligible than being on the Defensive in protecting our Fron-
tiers. I have wrote to the other Governors to the same pur-
port, & I shall be glad something essential was determin'd
soon.

I am sorry Your Assembly wou'd not consent to a Light
House at Cape Henry, which certainly wou'd have been of
more Service to them than to this Colony, & the Expence to
be paid by the shipping that receiv'd the I3enefit, without any
Charge on the Colonies.

I wish You Health & Happiness & am
most Sincerely

Your Excellency's
most obed' hble Servant
Rob' Dinwiddie

[Sharpe to Loudoun.] ]

15"' Novem'' 1756 —
My Lord

I am honoured with your Ldps two Letters dated the 28"' &
30"' of Oct' & agreeable to your Ldp's pleasure have there-
upon required the Inhabitants of Baltimore Town to provide
Quarters for two Companies, & those of this place for One,
Two more of the Companies may if your Ldp pleases be quar-
tered at Chester Town, another at Charles Town & the Seventh
at George-Town in Kent Co'^ Charles George & Chester
Towns are situated on the East Side of Chesapeak Bay &
within three or four Days March of Newcasde. Baltimore
Town lies on this Side the Bay almost opposite to George
Town & Vessels will run from one to the other in a few hours.
The Company that shall be ordered to this Place might also be
embarked at George Town & conveyed hither with a fair Wind
in half a Day. There is a small Town or Village called
Oxford pretty far down on the Eastern Side of the Bay &
another on this Side called Marlbro 20 miles from Annapolis,
The Independant Company might be quartered at either as
your Ldp shall think proper. I have writ to the Magistrates
& Gentlemen in the neighbourhood of these several Places &
desired them to assist the Officers that shall come among them
& to promote the Recruiting Service to the utmost of their
power. I beg leave to observe to your Ldp that hitherto all
the Troops that have marched thro or been quartered in this
Province have agreeable to an Act of Assembly made some

5IO Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. in time sincc paid after the Rate of one Shilling Currency or
Seven pence farthing Sterl^ a Day for the Diet & Lodging of
each Man. If the Royal Americans are not enabled to clear
their quarters in that manner I must if your Ldp pleases con-
vene the Assembly & recommend it to them to make a new
Regulation, but I doubt they will not be easily prevailed on to
do so. Since I last addressed myself to your Ldp one lohn-
son a Native of Pens^ who has these two years resided among
& associated with the French & their Indian Allies on the Ohio
has been sent hither from Fort Cumberland. He imposed
himself on the Commanding Officer at that place as one that
had made his Escape from the Savages & fled thither for Pro-
tection but on his Examination here he has acknowledged that
he came from Fort du Quesne with a Detachment of 160
French & Indians who were to make an Incursion into this
Province or to attempt Fort Cumberland if the Reduction of
that Place should appear practicable. The Prisoner was sent
to reconnoitre & inform himself of the Strength of the Garri-
son & had concealed himself near it for that purpose, but
apprehending from some Motion of the Sentry that he was
discovered he dropt his Tomahawk went up to him & pre-
tended to be a Fugitive as I have already mentioned. Inclosed
your Ldp receives the Information that he gives concerning
the French Settlements & their Strength to the westward; He
confesses that he came five times so far as the Allegany Moun-
tains with the Savages that have laid waste our Borders & I
beleive nothwithstanding his Professions to the Contrary that
he has been frequently lower down with them murdering the
Inhabitants. I propose to order him back again to Fort Cum-
berland to be reexamined & rewarded according to His Des-
erts unless your Ldp shall be pleased to give Orders to the
contrary —

I am &c —

[Sharpe to Denny.]

15"" Novem'' 1756.
S'

I now do myself the honour to acknowledge the Rec' of
your Favour dated the 24"' Sept' & to send you a Copy of the
Information of one lohnson who having near two years resided
among the French & their Indian Allies was lately sent hither
from Fort Cumberland. He acknowledges that he has several
times accompanied the Indians from Fort Du Quesne to the
Allegany Mountains & I am persuaded notwithstanding his
professions to the contrary that he has been frequently further
down with them murthering the Inhabitants. On His Exami-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 5 1 1

nation here he has acknowledged that he came from Fort DuLetterBk. iii
Ouesne the Beginning of Oct"^ with a Detachment of 160
French & Indians who were to fall on our Frontier Settlements
or to attack Fort Cumberland if the Reduction of that place
should appear practicable. The prisoner was sent to recon-
noitre & inform himself of the Strength of the Garrison & had
concealed himself near it in pursuance of his Orders, but appre-
hending from some motion of the Sentry that he was discov-
ered he dropt his Tomahawk & advancing towards him pre-
tended to have made his Escape from a party of Indians that
had detained him prisoner. I propose to send him back to
the Commanding Officer at Fort Cumberland to be reexam-
ined & rewarded according to his Deserts &c —

[Denny to Sharpe.] Original.

Philadelphia 24 Novem' 1756.
Sir

I have the favour of yours of the 15"' Instant inclosing the
Examination of William Johnson. I am apt to believe, what-
ever Character the Man may bear, that he has given in general
a pretty true Account several of our Prisoners who have made
their Escape from Kittannin and other places having on their
Examination deposed to the like Effect with the most material
parts of his Information. A thousand French and Indians
knowing as they certainly do, the Weakness of this Province
may over run it, nor do I see what can hinder their making
themselves Masters of this City, the plunder of which will fur-
nish all sorts of Supplies for their Soldiery and Indians, and
enable the French to carry on the War with very little Expence.

On Friday I returned from Easton where I have tho' very
unwillingly held some Conferrences with a number of Delaware
Indians the same who came here in the Summer. Their Chief
Teedyuscung seems hearty, and I believe has some influence
over the Indians on the River Susquahannah who he may keep
from doing mischief, and this seems to me to be the most he
can do.

I have consented to a peace provided all the Colonies be
equally included in it, all the Prisoners delivered up, and the
same to be approved by Sir William Johnson and the Six
nations at a General Council.

I am glad to hear by the last Letters that Lord Baltimore
and the Proprietors are in a fair way to accommodate matters.
I am

Sir

Your most obedient

Humble Servant

William Denny

512 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

;r Bk. I. rSharpe to Calvert."]

p. 247

30"" of Novem"^ 1756 & transmitted by Capt Dyer —
Sir

In my Letter of the 3'' Inst. I gave you some Account of one

p. 24S lohnson who had been sent hither from Fort Cumberland &
advised you of my Intention to have him formally examined
before the Council, this was done the 1 3"* of this Month as
you will see by a Copy of the Council Minutes herewith sent
& as the Fellow gave pretty much the same Account then that
he had before done a Warrant was issued for apprehending &
bringing before us on the 29''' the several Persons whom he
had on his Examination accused or named. They were yester-
day brought hither & some of them examined but as they
soon convinced us that the Prisoner had charged them wrong-
fully that he had assumed a feigned Name & was in fact a
great Impostor we discharged them & several of them being
extremely poor I ordered the Sheriff to defray their Expences
& convey them back to their respective homes : As I inclose
you the minutes of this Council also I need not tell you that
the Informant did not when he was called into the Room where
they were so much as know the Priest or M' Wheeler & that he
■ thereupon made a Recantation giving us at the same time the
Reasons that induced him to frame & insist on such a Story as he
had before told & sworn to the truth of. I shall forthwith send
for that Plummer & the Soldiers that came with him from Fort
Cumberland & I doubt not but it will on Enquiry be found that
the Fellow has given a true account of their Behaviour towards
him. I have already advised the Earl of Loudoun of my having
such a Person in Custody & as I presume enough Witnesses

p- 249 will be found in the Company that was Capt Clark's to convict
him of Desertion he will probably be punished with Death by
the Sentence of a Court Martial. We are told that two Priests
& a Lay Roman Catholick are imprisoned in Phil"* for seditious
Practices but what they are particularly accused of we do not
yet learn, The Affair however is much talked of & as Every
one is at Liberty to make Conjectures many People among us
are persuaded that some horrid Plot will be shortly discovered.
Governor Denny is just returned from the Frontiers of that
Province whither he had been to hold a Treaty with some of
the Delaware Indians who resided on the Susquehanna River
but have for some time past been at War with us. They
would by what I can find have made a seperate Peace with the
Pensilvanians but Governor Denny let them know that he was
not at Liberty to hear such a Proposal, that if they were willing
to make a League with all the English & to break with the
French S'W™ lohnson would hold a Treaty with them for that
purpose but that nothing could be done with them unless they

Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe. 5 1 3

restored all the Prisoners that they have taken & carried from Letter Bk. i.
these Colonies. They seemed at length inclined to comply
with these Requisitions but did not come to a final Resolution
thereon & Gov' Denny seems to think that the most they will
be brought to is to remain neuter. With the Papers already
mentioned you will also receive Col° Tasker's Bond for the
due Execution of his Office & regular Payment to you as his p. 250
Superiour.

Doctor Steuart has not been able to make up his Acco' with
the Sheriffs who collect the Fees therefore your Request with
respect to him cannot be yet complied with. Lord Loudoun I
find has ordered most of the Troops into Winter Quarters.
He intends to send Seven Companies of the Royal Americans
to this Province but as his principal Design in so doing is to
promote more effectually the Recruiting Service I apprehend
the Companies at their Arrival will be very small. We have
not yet been able to raise half the Number that the Assembly
voted for that Regiment, & Capt Beall I am afraid will not be
able to compleat his Company this winter such is the Scarcety
of Men inclined to enter into the Service but I hope the Season
will prevent the Enemy's making any Incursions or doing any
more mischief on our Frontiers for these two or three months,
with the greatest Reg"* I am y' m' obt Serv'

[Calvert to Sharpe.] Original.

[First part missing. Indorsed Dec. 16, 1756.]
Suppose Speaking of IVP Stephen Boardly I never had any
Personal Difference w"" the Gentleman you are so kind as to
recomend to my reguard, tho' it has happned when we were
Members together of Assembly that some little misunder-
standing were occasionedly produced by a Contrariety of
Opinion in Pollitical Matters, and I dare Say is Easily Excused
by one of his Good Sense from the Consideration of his having
been formerly mistaken in his Opposition to those Measures
w"'' I defended and Espetially Since his Mistake has been so
Easily forgiven that an Acknowledgment of it has been
rewarded by an Appointment to which a Series of Seven or
Eight years. faithfuU Service Could only have produced Very
Slight and Questionable pretentions.

To all which, I make no doubt to his Presentment ; however, it
is Certain there are many Propositions in Theory that differ when
put into Practice for had the Charge of his Objections a been
an unforgiven Rule against his father, he had never been Com-
missary General ; besides Transgression is to be forgiven on
Repentance. I knew not Ab' Boardly's faults on his Promotion,

514 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

nor do I doubt the rectitude of y' ludgment in the Choice of
him as a Servant under the Proprietor. I sh'd be Glad you
wod Set me right w"' M' Dulany whome I mean well to.

My Lord Apprehending the dangerous hazard of the Enemy
thinks the present Time's not Suitable to Attempt a Survey of
the Two Branches of Potowmack River in Order for a discovery
of the true fountain Head of that river, the Given Limit
between Maryland and Virginia.

To y"^ Mention ab' my altering my Order as Secretary in
Behalf of M' Walter Dulany for M"" Young how can I w'""
Honour alter that I have Caused to be set down and Enter'' in
my Office in the Province? with his Lordships Approbation
and have Noted to M' Dulany. It is a thing I Can by no
means do to Barter my Honour by Change from one Person to
another. It Gives me Concern your'e having Objection to M"'
Young's being of the Council of State. I had not on my
Lords directing him for that Station the Least Suspicion
against him, nor do I know any real one now — as he was the
Son of the Late M' Young ludge of the Land Office and
Stronly recomended by Do'' Lee here. Eminent in the Civil
Law and who is Treasurer to Her Royal Highness the Princess
of Wales, and his being Marryed to my Neice who is First
Cousen to my Lord, these Denominations fixed me for favour
for him from his Lordship. I hope he is Honest he writes
not Ignorandy. On my part, I know not how to reject his
Lordship's kind Propositions Toward's him, you must Adjust
things with my Lord and him, w'ever be the decision, it will
Give me Sattisfaction. There being Two Vacancy's at the
Council his Promotion there will not dissapoint M' Dulany of
his seat at that Board.

I have Sent y' Packet to M' Hyde. I understand from M'
Tasker that the rents of M' Hyde's Lands on the Western
Shore has been paid by the farmers, but the Rents on the
Eastern Shore are still standing out unpaid, Since the 29''' of
Septem' 1742, His Lordship hopes some Measure will be
Taken to secure his dues there, I have wrote to M' Lloyd
Concerning the same.

I am not a Litde surpriz'd at M' Lloyd's Letter to you in
Answer to y'' to him from Fort Frederick wherein he says
" he thinks you take upon you more than you ought in Giving
such Peremptory Orders ab' the Management of his Lordship's
Private Affairs " and says " he is sure my Lord has no reason
to Complain of his Behaviour or delay and declares I have not
said one Syllable to him ab' the Rent Roll " as proof against
what he has ventur*^ to Alledge, desire him to produce you
my Letter of the 9''' of Last March, w''' bears date w"" y'' from
me and was sent in y"^ Packet. The Letter to him is so
Copious that the Present Opportunity doth not afibrd time to

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 515

send you a Copy, however Briefly it Contains Numerous
Observations and Explanations on the bad Plan w"' Errors
from Search of the Rent Rolls for — Three Countys on the
Western Shore rec"^ from him and where in I say to him
" I Can assure you the Governor has done you no wrong,
therefore hope you'l not Conceive Jealosy against him who
realy reguards you and I hope my Lord will Benefit from y'
Service and that you will Convince him thereof in the Execu-
tion of the Plans of his Affairs you have rec"* from me the Con-
fusion of the Mannors and Rentals you say you'l rectifye.

My Lord doubts not y' Service, but thinks y' delay Tedious
his Delay thereof was the Motive that made my Lord send you
his Instructions for the Causing the return of his Rentals to him,
therefore it is strange that he seems to think that you take
upon you in Giving Peremptory Orders ab' the Management
of his Lordship's private Aifairs —

Especially as you Can produce to him his Lordship's Instruc-
tions to warrant y' so doing Occation'' by his Neglect ; I do
assure you I am Weary'd in Writing to him on that Subject,
in which I Can have no relief therein, but what may result from
y"^ Care and Orders for redressing the Same.

The Expedition to Crown Point seems by your Account not
Likely to be Attended w'*' Success on our Side as the Provincial
force refused Injunction to Act w"" our Regular Troops, I am
much Concern'* to understand since you Left the Frontiers of
an Accident w'^'' has happne'd in Pensilvania to their several
Forts on the Frontiers of that Province particularly to that Fort
Call"^ Granville built at lanicata West of the Susquehannah
River, it Lying near the Borders of Maryland. The Garisson
was Trifling that of a Subaltern w"' Twenty five Men against a
party of French and Indians perhaps Ten times their number,
who found means to Set the Fort on fire it being I Suppose a
Stockade fort of Wood that only serves for Bonfire to the
french from Ignorance in the Pensilvanian Art of War; w'=''you
have remedy'd, and well Considered in the Construction of
Fort Frederick. Built of Stone the only durable Material to
Protect and be of Service against Either a Military or Indian
force, from the Latter Likely to be Secure from harm — tis a
Melancholy Event your Intelligence of the Loss of Oswego
Taken by the French and w' the Earl of Loudon Observ's to
you, without the Assistance of the Royal American Regiments
of w'*' he is very Importunate about the Levies w''' you and the
Other Provinces, if not soon Compleated 'tis Greatly to be
Apprehended it will be Difficult to oppose the Enemy, sh"* they
presume to advance into Pensilvania or the Province of New
York. The unhappy Accident must have Struck all w"" Great
Consternation, no Aid Sure will be wanting, as by it Consists
the preservation of Each Particular person, than which it is

5i6 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Impossible there Can be a Greater Tye than to Aid each other
Against so ruinous an Enemy and Against whome Every
pticular hath his defence by union to the Sovereign and them-
selves Equally — Lord Baltimore is much Concern'd at the
unfortunate Issue of things, hope Affairs will amend, he
thinks himself happy in his Province being under y' Conduct
and of w'^'' he is sensible by Convincing proofs from your Vigi-
lance & Circumspection to the Safety and well being of all he
has trusted to y' Care and of which, none Can have a Greater
Sensibility of than him who is w"" real Esteem D' Sir

Y^ Oblig"^ hble Serv'
Caecil' Calvert.

Pos' It is with real concern I write of the Death of your
Brother John, who died last fall at Bristol ; a great Loss to our
Affairs, y' last packet to him is deliver'd to y' Brother William,
as well as y" to him. In the Room of M' Fox, W" Pitt is
appoint'd SeC of State ; he is a Person Deem'd of peculiar dis-
cernment, great expectations are estimat'd from his Abbilities,
therefore Note him for y' particular acquittance to him on
Affairs of the Province. Inclosed you have his Majesty's
Speech & the Addresses of Both Houses of Parliam' 24
Companies of Private men & one Regim' from Ireland sail'd
last month for America; and Transports are taking up for 10.
or 1 1 Regm''' more destin'd shortly thereof w*"*" Regim'^ I
inclosed you a List. By a List the Army here is 49749 I sup-
pose Including officers. Inclosed are Gazettees & Historical
Magazines & Evening Posts, as will Inform you of Publick
affairs and of Change of Ministry. The Comon's have voted
55000 Men for Sea Service include Manner for 1757 &
£\ 2 1 3746 : 3' 9'' for paym' of 49749 Men & for Guards & Garri-
sons in G. Britain & £/^22,qty. 16^: 10'' for the fforces & Garri-
sons in the Plantations & Gibralter — By this Packet you have
his LordsP Comiss" to you as Vice Admiral of the Province —
My Lord is ab' setling with the Mess" Penns by Offer from
himself, that if they agreed on paying their own Cost for Law
Charges since the commencement of the suit, he wo"* ffree
them of all Demands on his side for Cost, & was ready to
finish affairs with them agreeable to his Father's Articles of
agreement; I understand not from him, they have Accept'd
his offer, & Orders given M' Hemersley to proceed upon it.
It Chagrin's me much, I know not the Advice nor motive th' so
precipitately hurry's him to so great wrong of himself. M'
Ridout's transmissions on the Law of 1704 & the 14'' p' Ton
are rec'' my Lord thanks him for the Papers and Assiduity
therein — In Case M' Lloyd Agent, shoP Resign, wo*^ it not be
Adviseable to appoint an Agent & Receiver to each Shore, &
of such Persons as reside on each Shore ? — On closing this I

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 5 1 7

have y"^" of Oct' 5"' with y"^ Speech & the Addresses at opening
the Session's of Assembly the 14"" of Sept" last. His Lordp
directs me to say to you, that he thanks you for your speech
& y' earnest endeavours to promote his Majesty's service &
in Defence not only of his Colony but also as to others, he
observes, the Address's are respectful & hopes the proceed*' of
the Assembly will manifest their Duty to his Majesty's Service
& that they'l give the Earl of Loudoun good proof thereof. I
am very thankful to you for your goodness to me By Bills of
Exch'^ amt° to /138 — y"^ Brother W"" is made keeper of the
Records of the Council for Life /500 p' Ann: y"' Nephew is
Chosen Member at Collington in his father's stead. My Lord
by his Instructions now sent to M' Lloyd has Directed him to
pay you the whole Income of Support of Goverm' his Lord^^
reasons are contain'd in the Instruction, & in his Let' I suppose
Inclosed you ; I hope the alteration will improve to y' Advan-
tage, 'tis y' Due justly, I therefore wo'' Advise you to represent
y'self thereupon to him, you may depend on the sincerity of my
friendship to you concerning.

The Land office in value is sunck gready as to profifit to my

Lord this year. M' W is provided for in the Army, I

therefore think the lowe Circumstance of the Land office rep-
resent'd by you to his Lord"" wo'' gain his Consent to withdraw
the Pension, or else tel them to write to my Lord themselves on
that Ace' in behalf of themselves ; you'l excuse these notes to
you proceed^ from one who wishes well to all things & Persons
& of y' having a happy agreement with all concern'd in the
conduct of Affairs — •

C. C.

[Bakimore to Sharpe.] (

London Dec''" 21" 1756.
Sir/

I have orderd M' Loyd, to pay to you, the whole revenue
for the support of government, agreable to the Law of 1 704 ; and
as he has signified to me, that the twelve pence per hogshead,
may on account of the small exportation of Tobacco this year;
fall short, of y' usual income; I have directed him to make it
good to you in case that should happen and on the contrary if
there remains any overplus above ^1000 p' Ann. I expect y'
Ace' to me thereof, by bills of Exchange ; there being many
charges, attending the government & the property of the
Province, w'''' that ought in part to support. I am Sir/

with the greatest regard

P. S. Y' most humble, & most obed. Servt.

This affair being in parricular betwixt Baltimore

you & myself I desire you will act accordingly.

5i8 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Original [Loudoun to Sharpc]

New York lanuary the S'*' 1757 —
Sir,

I am just setting out for Boston, where I have appointed a
meeting, with the Governors of the Four New England Col-
onys, on the i -^^ in order to Concert with them, what assistance
they will give, towards Carrying on the ensuing Campaign ;
as soon as that is over, I propose going to Philadelphia, in
order to meet with you, and the Governors of the Southern
Colonys, to concert a proper Plan, to be carryed on there, for
their mutual Security and Defence, and such other things as
may appear necessary, in the present Situation of Affairs.

I do propose this meeting, should be held at Philadelphia, on
the 1 7"" day of February next, where I shall be very happy to
have the pleasure of meeting with you. —

As I hope, to have the pleasure of meeting you at Phila-
delphia, I shall postpone making any further answer to yours
at present, than to beg you will keep that Spy you have got,
till that time, and then have him carryed to Philadelphia, and I
must Hkewise beg, that you will take the trouble to enquire
about a Letter that fellow carryed from a Roman Catholic
Priest in Maryland, to the Commanding Officer of one of the
French Forts ; and that if you find on Enquiry, that there is a
proper foundation for it, that you would secure the Priest
likewise. —

I am with great Respect
Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
Loudoun

Letter Bk. Ill [Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

8"' of Jan^ 1757 —
Sir

M' Stevens (whose Instructions for making Pot Ash you
some time ago sent me) calling on me here in his way to
Williamsburg & desiring my Letter of Introduction, I comply
with his Request so far as to make him known to you — I should
agreeable to my promise have sent you a Copy of the Exam-
ination of that lohnson als Marshall who was sent hither some
time ago from Fort Cumberland had it not on farther Exam-
ination appeared that he had falsifyed in every Syllable he had
spoken & that no Credit ought to be given to his Information.
He at length proves to be a Deserter from the Independant
Company that was commanded by Capt Clark & as I have

Correspondence of Governor Sharp e. 519

advised Capt Gates of his being apprehended & in Prison Letter Bk.iii
I presume he will be sent for & punished agreeable to the
Sentence of a Court Martial. —

[Sharpe to Dinwiddie.]

22'* of lan^' 1757.
Sir

As I find by a Letter which your Messenger has just brought
me from the Earl of Loudoun that His Lordship expects to be
favoured with your Company at Philadelphia the 17''' of next
Month I shall hope to have the pleasure of seeing you at
Annapolis in your way thither & of waiting on you to Pensil-
vania, If you'll be pleased to let me know when you intend to
cross Potowmack I will order a Vehicle to that River to wait
your arrival ; & if you approve thereof & the Wind should
serve I can engage a good commodious Vessel to carry us
hence to the Head of the Bay where a Carriage might attend
us. Unless the News of our having the Small-Pox in this
Place should deter them I expect our Assembly will meet here
on Monday next to make some Provision (if my Recommenda-
tion shall have any weight with them) for supplying seven
Companies of the Royal Americans who are ordered hither for
the Winter with such Necessaries as they stand in need of &
as Soldiers are usually supplied with in Winter-Quarters.

[Sharpe to Denny.]

28''' lan^ 1757-
Sir

Colo. Bird of Virginia calling on me in his way to Phil''
I embrace the Opportunity to pay my Respects to you which I
hope to do in person about the 1 7"^ of next Month. Major
Prevost having represented to me that many of the Soldiers
who are ordered to this Province are in great want of such
Necessaries as Troops ought to be furnished with in winter
quarters I would have met our Assembly & recommended the
Case of the poor Fellows to their Consideration but our having
the Small Pox at this place has been made a Pretence for their
not meeting me & I find myself under the disagreeable
necessity of telling the Major that it is not in my power to
comply with his Request or to contribute in any respect to the
Relief of the Men under his Command. &c.

520 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

[ [Sharpe to Maj. Alex^ Prevost.]

28'" of lany 1757.
Sir

I am extreemly sorry to find myself under the Necessity of
informing you that since I have been favoured with your Letter
by M' Campbell all the hopes which I had before entertained
of being able to serve the Troops under your Command are
vanished & that it is not in my power to afford, or to procure
them at present the least Relief. The Assembly should have
met last Monday agreeable to my Summons but it seems the
News of our having the Small-Pox deterred them nor would
more than about fourteen of the Burgesses be prevailed on to
come near the place. As we could do no Business whatever
unless more than twice that Number were present I have after
detaining them five Days complied with the Request of the
few that did attend, by prorogueing the Assembly to the 10'''
of March by which time I hope we shall be free from the Dis-
temper that is said to be so terrible to most of the Gent" of
whom our Assembly is composed. I should have received
great pleasure from contributing to the Satisfaction of the
Officers & Men under your Command & if the Representatives
of the People had given me an opportunity I should have used
my utmost Endeavours to procure the Soldiers such Neces-
saries & Conveniences as would render their quarters agree-
able, but being disappointed in my Expectations as I have
above related, I can do no more than assure you than when the
Gendemen of the Assembly shall give me an opportunity of
addressing myself to them, I will recommend it to them in the
most earnest manner to reimburse such Persons as have or
may be put to any Expence in furnishing the Seven Companies
under your Command with such Things as they stand in
need of —

1 am &c.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Baltimore.]

p. 250

4"- Feb" 1757.

My Ld

Having just heard that a Ship is about to sail from a distant
part of the Province I embrace the Opportunity to advise your
Ldp of such Occurrences as have happened since the Depar-
ture of our last Ships afforded us opportunities of transmitting
Letters to England. I have not heard of any Mischief being
done on the Frontiers of these Colonies for a long time & I
hope the Weather as well as our Ranging Parties will secure
the Inhabitants for these two or three Months. In November

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 521

last a small Party of Catawba Indians who had come from Letter Bk.i.
Carolina to go out to War with some of the Virginians from P" ^^^
Fort Cumberland proceeded towards Fort Du Quesne to
annoy the Enemy in their own Country & if possible to get a
Prisoner, a little below the French Fort they fell in with
twelve French Indians who happened to be hunting in that
part of the Country & killed four of them without suffering
any Loss themselves ; flushed with this Success they pushed
on for the Fort with a Design as I have already observed to
seize a Sentry from whom they may get Intelligence, but on
the way they were surprized by a very large Party of the
Enemy who had been alarmed as was supposed by the Eight
that had escaped in the first Action, & two of the Catawbaes
with four of the Virginians were killed on the Spot, the Rest
of the Catawbaes being Seven in Number returned to Fort
Cumberland but it is supposed that the Virginian who accord-
ing to the Indians Account survived the Engagement has
perished in the woods as he has not been since heard of. The
Catawbaes are since gone home but it is said that they
expressed themselves well satisfied with the Behaviour of
the English that went out with them & have promised to
return to Fort Cumberland again in the Spring. If the Vessels
by which my former Letters were sent have not miscarried I
hope your Ldp is e'er this informed that the Fellow who was
taken in October last at Fort Cumberland & who thereupon p. 252
accused several Roman Catholicks of Mal-Practices has at
length proved a most infamous & wicked Impostor. I shall
herewith send Copies of the Depositions & other Papers that
I have before transmitted which I flatter myself will satisfy
your Ldp that we used our utmost Endeavours to discover
the Truth. Lord Loudoun has desired me to send the Villain
to Phi^ where I presume he will be tried for Desertion & pun-
ished accordingly. Towards the End of December His Ldp
was pleased to order Seven Companies of the Royal Ameri-
cans to this Province to take up their Winter Quarters at
Charles Frederick George & Chester Towns in Ca^cil & Kent
Counties. His Ldp chose to have them all quartered on the
Eastern Shore that they may be assembled at Phi^ more
readily when the Season shall permit His Ldp to open the
Campaign. The Companies instead of 100 do not exceed 50
Men each but as the Towns are very small even that Number
has been with great Difficulty supplied with such Necessaries
and Conveniences as Soldiers expect to be furnished with in
Winter Quarters I did at the Request of Major Prevost their
Commanding Officer & with the Advice of your Ldp's Coun-
cil issue a Proclamation for the Assembly to meet the 24"" of
last Month that I might recommend it to them to make some

522 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Ek. I. Provision for furnishing the Soldiers with such Things as they
stand in need of, but the Small Pox having broke out here &
many of the Inhabitants being ill of that Distemper when the
p- 253 Assembly should have met The Burgesses for the most part
declined giving their Attendance wherefore after proroguing
the House from Day to Day till the 2S''' I then complied with
the Request of the Speaker & those few who were in Town &
by the Advice of your Ldp's Council farther prorogued them
to the lo"" of next Month when we may perhaps be pretty
free from the Disease which is very much dreaded by the
People in this Country (principally on Account of their Estates
consisting in Slaves & Servants) & in the mean time the Gent"
who live in & around the Towns wherein the Troops are quar-
tered furnish them with Houses, Beds, Fire Wood &c by Sub-
scription in hopes of being reimbursed by the Assembly, &
the Soldiers are victualed by Persons whom the Victualing
Contractors have engaged for that Purpose. A few Days ago
I received a Letter from the Earl of Loudoun (who is now at
Boston) wherein he is pleased to tell me that he expects to see
Governor Dinwiddle & myself at Phi^ the 17"" Inst. I know
not what His Ldp proposes by desiring our Attendance but I
presume Governor Dinwiddle will call on me some Day next
week & I shall then proceed to obey His Ldp's Commands.
It is more than probable that I shall be able from Phil^ to
advise your Ldp of the Result of our Meeting, but if no Oppor-
tunity of Dispatching a Lett' thence should offer I shall trans-
mit Letters by a Vessel of Col° Lloyds which with one from
this Place is to sail the End of this Month or the Beginning of
next, I shall charge the Captains of both these Vessels with some
p- 254 Maryland Partridges which I have kept by me since the Begin-
ning of the Winter for such a favourable Opportunity of send-
ing them to your Ldp & I hope I shall be able to transmit also
by Col° Lloyds Vessel an accurate Map of Prince Georges
Co'y which has been actually surveyed agreeable to your Ldps
Orders. I think I may promise too by the same Conveyance
a true & perfect Rent Roll of Ann Arundel Coty which I have
myself made out from the Records of the Land Office as your
Ldp will see by the References to the said Books & the Cer-
tificate which I shall annex thereto, I think the Method I have
taken will serve as a useful Example to the Rent Roll Keepers
& will be of great Use both to the Agent & Receiver. It has
employed me for the greatest part of Six Months. I have at
length got & entered in a Book Platts of most of your Ldps
Mannours in the different Parts of the Province but I find 'twill
not be in my power with the utmost Diligence & Enquiry to
send your Ldp such particular & satisfactory Drafts of them as
might have been expected : this is owing to the Neglect of

Correspojidence of Governor Sfiarpe. 523

those who have heretofore had the Care & Management of Letter Bk.
these Lands None of whom have recorded or kept Copies of the
Leases that they granted, & as many Tenants have lost their
Leases & know not how their Lands are situated or bounded.
The Surveyors have scarcely any thing to direct them in run-
ning out the Tenements, which by the Platts that have been
already returned me greatly interfere with & intersect each
other.

M' Will"' Goldsborough whom your Lordship was at my p. 255
instance pleased to honour with a Seat at the Council Board
has been in a very bad State of Health for some time & by
what I can learn is not likely to recover. In Case of His
Decease your Ldp will be pleased to signify who is to succeed
him as ludge of the Admiralty Court, it is not a place of any
Profit & of very little Trouble but if your Ldp pleases it would
be much for the Ease of the People that may have Occasion to
apply to him if the Judge be some Gent" that usually resides
at Annapolis. I am &c —

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

4"' of Feb^ 1757. transmitted by Capt Thompson
Sir

In my Letter dated the 30''' of Nov' I intimated to you that
the Earl of Loudoun had advised me of his Intention to send
Seven Companies of the Royal American Regiment to quarter
themselves for the Winter in this Province ; That the Men
may be more easily disciplined during the winter & more
readily assembled at Phil" in the Spring His Lordship
restrained their Quarters to Kent & Caecil, but as there are
but four small Towns or Villages & scarcely any Publick Houses
in these Counties the Men were put to some Difficulties &
wanted for a time many of the Necessaries & Conveniences
that Soldiers expect to be supplied with when they come
among the Inhabitants, Upon the Representation of Major p. 256
Prevost their Commanding Officer & by the Advice of His
Lordship's Council I summoned the Assembly to meet the
24"' of last Month but many of the Families in this Town being
at that time ill of the Small Pox no more than 14 of the Bur-
gesses would venture near us, wherefore after four Days I
thought fit with the Advice of the Gentlemen of the Council to
comply with the Request of the Speaker & those that did
attend by proroguing them to the lo"" of next Month when I
hope we shall be pretty free from the Distemper abovemen-
tioned which on Account of their Families being very large is
much dreaded by the People of this Country. The Soldiers

524 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. are however at present pretty well accommodated, the Gentle-
men who live in & around the places where they are quartered
supplying them with such Necessaries as they stand in need of
& require in hopes that they shall be reimbursed by the Legis-
lature whenever the Assembly meets. The Companies should
consist of 100 Men each but I beleive they fall short of Fifty
& I am afraid they will encrease but very slowly unless
Recruits are sent from home for we have not been yet able to
raise more than half our three hundred for them tho we offer
a Bounty of^io a Man Sz: the Recruits desert so fast that I am
told there are no less than 28 of the Royal Americans at this
p. 257 time under Sentence of Death for that Crime. The Garrison
of Fort Frederick instead of being 300 scarcely amounts to
250 Men & I am afraid the Officers will find it impossible to
raise the Number allowed for the immediate Defence of this
Province, however no Mischief has been done on our Fron-
tiers for a considerable time & the People begin to think
themselves well enough protected. Lord Loudoun is I beleive
at this time in N England whither it is said he went to see what
Assistance might be expected from that Quarter next Summer.
In Compliance with His Ldp's Desire Governor Dinwiddle &
Myself are to wait on him at Phila" the 17''' Inst, but I doubt if
His Ldp has entertained any great hopes of Assistance from
these Colonies He will not be well satisfied with the Accounts
that we shall be obliged to give him. Whatever be the Result
of our Consultations I shall advise you thereof by the first
Opportunity whether it be by a Ship from Phila" or one of
Col° Lloyds that is to sail hence the End of this or the Begin-
ning of the next Month. At that time I shall send some of the
Partridges that I have been collecting for His Ldp & you may
also expect the Rent Roll which I have been employed about
ever since the Middle of the Summer together with a Map of
Prince Georges Co'^ made from an actual Survey & the Platts
of His Ldp's Mannours finished in the best manner that I can
p. 25S get them & the usual Remittance to Your Self. As M' Young
is on an Excursion to N York & Phih I presume he will thence
address himself to you & advise you of M" Youngs Decease
Miss Graham is left to the Care of her Unkle to whom I shall
agreeable to His Ldp's Orders give the Sheveralty of Calvert
County as soon as it becomes vacant. I am sorry to inform
you that M' W"" Goldsborough is in a very bad State of Health
& that we shall very probably soon lose in him a sensible &
worthy Member of His Lordship's Council; in case of his
Death I must beg the favour of His Ldp to appoint some
Gentl" of this place his Successor as ludge of the Admiralty
Court, it is a Place of very little profit & the ludge is seldom
applied to but whenever People have Business it is very incon-
venient for them to attend any where but at this Place. I am

Correspondence of Governor SJiarpe. 525

favoured with yours dated the 1 3"" of Oct^ which advises me of Letter Bk. i.

His Ldp's Intention to assent to the ^40,000 Bill that was

passed in the Spring Session. I was in hopes I should have

been able with this to transmit Copies of the Acts that were

made at our last Session, but they are not yet out of the Press.

As you tell me I may soon expect some Instructions from His

Ldp & Letters from Yourself in Answer to the Packetts that I

did myself the honour to transmit last Summer I shall not take

any Step with respect to M' Young or any other Gent" till I have

the Pleasure to receive His Ldp's Commands, but if His Ldp

shall be pleased to confirm his Instruction in favour of M' Young

I shall then pay the most ready Obedience thereto —

Original.

[Calvert to Sharpe.]

London ffeb'^ ly"" 1757.
Dear Sir/

I write from M"^ Anderson Merch' & as Cap' Coolidge is
upon his immediate departure I have only time to acquaint
you that by this Conveyance you'l receive from Lord Balti-
more 40 Barrells of Musket powder & 40 Barrells of Gun-
powder for the use of the Province w* his Lord^ recomends
to your Care I've sent you a Packet by Cap' Johnson who
sails under Convoy by this opportunity, by w'='' you'l receive
his LordP" Instructions with a Lef from me in reladons to
several Let" & Desires from you. I intend answ^ some let''
rec"^ since from you in March follow^ his LordPhas no excep-
tion to y' appointm' of M' W"" Thomas the Only Exceapdon
there can be is whether he lives on the Eastern Shore ? as his
LordP' Affairs are there in great Confusion therefore requiring
a Person on the Spot more properly to setde them, I've wrote
to M"^ Lloyd to accept of the Change from the Western to the
Eastern Shore w"'' I hope he will not refuse. Ad: Byng is
Condemn'd to be shot ab' loooo Troops have rec"^ their
Orders for America und' Convoy of 16 Line of Batde Ships

Y'^ most Sincerely

Caecil' Calvert
To His Excell'' Gov"' Sharpe.

[Pitt to Sharpe.]

Whitehall 19'" Feb: 1757. °''2'"''-
Sir

Having in my Letter of the 4"' Ins' informed you that it was
the Kings intention to send a strong Squadron of Ships of
War to North America, I am now to acquaint you, that His
Majesty has been pleased to appoint Rear Admiral Holburne

526 Coi'respondence of Govertior Sharpe.

to command the said Squadron, & it Is the King's pleasure,
that, in Case any Naval Assistance shall be wanted for the
protection of your Government, you should apply for the same
to the said Rear Admiral, or to the Commander in Chief for
the time being of His Majesty's Ships in those Seas, who will
send you such Assistance, as he maybe able to do, consistently
with the Service, with which He is charged by His Majesty's
Instructions, & you will regularly communicate to the said
Commander all such Intelligence, as shall come to your
Knowledge, concerning the Arrival of any Ships of War, or
Vessels having warlike Stores on Board ; & likewise all such
Advices, as may concern their Motions & Destination, or may,
in any mannef, relate to that part of his Majestys Service,
with which the Commanders of the King's Ships should be
acquainted, & for the better Execudon of the Orders sent you
in this Letter, you will be diligent in employing proper per-
sons & Vessels, not only to procure you the earliest Intelli-
gence, but likewise to be dispatched from time to time, to the
said Commander of His Majesty's Ships, with such Accounts,
as you shall have Occasion to communicate to him.

It is also His Majesty's further pleasure, that you should use
all legal Methods, whenever the Commander in Chief of his
Majesty's Ships shall apply to you, to raise such a Number of
Seamen from time to time, as shall be wanted to recruit the
Ships in North America. I am

Sir
Your most obedient
humble Servant
W. Pitt

Original. [Loudoun to Sharpe.]

New York Feb'' 21" 1757
Sir _

On my arival here last night I was Informed of your being
come to Philadelphia and give you the trouble of this in order
to make an appologe for not meeting you at the time I had
appointed which as tis entirely owing to the business in New
England having taken up more time than I had reason to
expect I dare say you will easily Grant

As I have received letters from England which Requier
Convoies it will take me a few dayes to despatch the Packet
and the minute that is gone I will sett out to have the Pleasure
of attending you at Philadelphia I ever am with Great
Regards Sir

Your most obedient
humble Servant
To Governor Horatio Sharpe. Loudoun

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 527

[Sharpe to Pitt.j i

22^ feb>'
Sir

Since I came to this Place in Obedience to a Letter which I
was lately favoured with by the Earl of Loudoun I have had
the pleasure to receive one from yourself dated the 27"" of
Decern' last wherein you were pleased to advise me of your
being appointed One of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of
State & to direct me for the future to address my Letters
accordingly. I had the honour also to receive inclosed in the
same Letter a Copy of His Majesty's most gracious Speech to his
Parliament on the 2^ of DecemMast & Copies of the Addresses
which were presented to His Majesty in answer thereto for
these I beg leave to make my Acknowledgments & at the
same time to assure you that I shall at all times take Care to
send you the earliest Advice of every thing worthy Notice
that might occur in the Province with the Govern' of which I
have the honour to be entrusted. At present Things continue
in Maryland as they have been for a considerable time, three
Companies of 100 Men each being supported at the Expence
of the Province to garrison a Fort which is building just beyond
our Westernmost Settlements & to patroll on the Frontiers,
our Back Inhabitants are well satisfied & think themselves
pretty secure from Danger. No Mischief has been done
among them for a long time neither has any Enemy been
seen on our Frontiers since the Beginning of Winter, I am
now waiting the Earl of Loudoun's Arrival at this Place where
he is daily expected being already returned as we are informed
from Boston to N York, with &c

[Sharpe to Loudoun.]

Phil^ 2 3'^of Feb>- 1757.
MyLd

It gives me great Pleasure to hear & to find by the Letter
which I had last Night the honour to receive from your Ldp
that after a fatiguing Journey you are arrived in good health
at N York. I shall with pleasure wait your Ldp's Arrival
here to have an Opportunity of paying my Respects in Person
to your Ldp, but as our Assembly is by my Appointment to
meet the lo'"" of next Month I must beg the favour of your Ldp
to let it be signified to me whether you will have any Com-
mands for me at this Place after the fifth of next Month that if
I may not be certain of returning to Annapolis on that Day at
farthest I might send timely Orders to have the Assembly
prorogued to a longer Day.

I am &c.

528 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. [Sharpe to Calvert.l

p. 259

2f of Feb^' 1757 at Philadelphia & transmitted by the Packett

from N York —

Sir

In my last dated the 4"^ Inst. I informed you that the Earl of
Loudoun had thought proper to require my Attendance here
at this time when he expected the Governors of Virg^ & the
Carolinaes as well as of this Province would meet & have an
Interview with him. Agreeable to His Ldp's Desire Gover"'
Dobbs M' Dinwiddle & Myself are come hither & have been
some Days expecting His Ldp from Boston whither he went
immediately on his leaving Albany to lay as is supposed his
plan of Operations for the next Summer before the Governors
or Legislatures of the five Eastern Colonies & to prevail on
them if possible to grant him such Supplies & Assistance as
they can respectively afford & as His Ldp thinks he might
stand in need of. What were His Ldp's propositions to them
or his Expectations from them We know not but it is said that
they have come readily into His Ldp's Measures. The Assem-
bly of N York is now sitting & it is presumed that they will
not shew less Inclination to support His Ldp & promote His
Majestys Service than the New England Gent" have done but
no Body ventures to entertain such sanguine Expectations of
the Colonies that lye to the Southward. The Assembly of this
Province has been some time & is still sitting to very little pur-
pose being resolved as it should seem to give up the Province
to the Enemy rather than provide for its Defence by such a
Bill as Governor Denny finds himself at Liberty to accept.
Inclosed I send you a Copy of the Minutes of their late Pro-
ceedings which are just published & by what I can learn they
p. 260 are now acting over the same Part that these Minutes give an
Account of. M' Norris a Quaker their Speaker & M' Franklin
one of their Members are about to embark for England to
represent the unhappy Situation of the Province to the Parlia-
ment, to exonerate the Assembly as they say of the Blame that
has been unjustly thrown on them & to expose the Iniquity
(according to their Language) of Proprietary Instructions.

To enable their Ambassadors to execute this important Trust
they have given them ;^2000 & whatever farther Sum they
may on their Arrival in England stand in need of or require is
to be advanced that Matters may at length be brought to a
final Issue & all Occasions of Dispute hereafter be removed by
an Act of the British Legislature. I need not tell you after
what I have often observed that this Step of the Pensilvanians
will be much applauded in Maryland & indeed I shall not be
surprized at our Assembly's asking why they may not have

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 529

Liberty to imitate so laudable an Example, as many of them Letter lik. i.
are unwilling to see or endeavour to explain away the Differ-
ence that exists between the Constitutions of the two Provinces,
indeed all the Assemblies on the Continent begin to turn their
Eyes towards Phila-^ & should the Assembly of this Province
meet with the least Success in their intended Application
Those of the Neighbouring Colonies will become equally
untractable & never be satisfied till they have rendered them-
selves the supreme if not the only Branch of the Legislatures
We hear that all the Transports which were charged with
Ofarrell's Regiment & the Drafts sent over with them are p- 261
arrived in some Province or other on the Continent except one
which put into Antigua being unable to reach the Port to
which She was destined.

It is said that these Drafts & the Remains of Shirley's
& Pepperell's Regiments (which according to Report are
broke) will pretty well fill most of the Regiments in America
except the Royal Americans & it is hoped that that also will be
near compleat before there shall be occasion for their Service.
M' Denny tells me that he has been informed that My Lord &
the Proprietaries of this Province are already come to a final
Agreement about the Divisional Lines & that I might soon
expect to receive Instructions in Consequence of such Agree-
ment; As I have not yet received any hint from you con-
cerning this Matter, I am afraid some of your Letters may
have miscarried as I find by a Gentleman of Maryland just
arrived in the Packett that some of mine to you by Capt
Richardsons being taken have done. Be pleased to have the
Letters directed for the Secretary of State & M' Pownall deliv-
ered & to send my Brother's Letter to the Council Office
by doing so you will much oblige &c.

[Sharpe to Board of Trade.] Letter Bk.iii

Phi^ 2f of Feb^ 1757.

smce m

My Lds

Since I came to this place which I did about a week
Obedience to a Letter which the Earl of Loudoun was pleased
to send me I have had the Honour to receive one from your
Ldps dated the 9"" of Oct' last whereby I am directed to have
an Embargo laid during His Majesty's Pleasure on all Vessels
that may be loaded with Provisions in His Majesty's Province
of Maryland & to suffer none to sail till the Owners or Masters
have given Bond for the due Delivery of their respective Car-
goes in some Port or Place belonging to His Majesty & in
Possession of his Subjects I have already informed your
Ldps that an Act of Assembly has been made with us to pre-

530 Correspoiidence of Governor SJiarpe.

Ill vent the Exportation of Provisions to any of the Enemy's or
any Neutral Ports except Lisbon & Madeira, & as soon as I
am permitted to return home I shall take Care to extend the
Prohibition to these two places also & take effectual measures
to prevent any Vessels sayling from Maryland with Provisions
till Bond has been given by the Owners or Masters of them
agreeable to your Lordship's Instructions. Some of our
Vessels that traded to his Majesty's American Islands have
lately fallen into the Enemy's hands but there does not appear
to be the least room to suspect any Collusion ; I flatter myself
None of His Majesty's Maryland Subjects will give Offence by
such Practices but if any of them should give room for Sus-
picion your Ldps may be assured that no Endeavours of mine
shall be wanting to discover the Offenders & to bring them
to Punishment. I am &c.

[Sharpe to Dr. Gregory Sharpe.]

Phila* 26"" feby 1757 —

As no other opportunity of Conveyance will probably offer
for some time I shall send this by the first Packett that might
be dispatched from N York to let you know that the Letter
which you writ from Bristol in Oct' last reached me before I
left Maryland but not before our last Vessels were sailed for
London. The Ship by which you sent it fellinto thehandsof an
Enemy but the Master was afterwards suffered to ransom her
& proceed on his Voyage otherwise I should not till I arrived
here have been shocked with the News of my Brother's Death
nor before this time have felt what I have thereupon already
suffered. The Loss to me is grievous & irreparable but since
I am persuaded that I have no reason to lament on his Account,
I will not repine at this Act of Providence on my own, but
rather be grateful for the Friends that survive to me & think
myself sufficiently happy in not being yet destitute of Brothers
that are truely entituled to that Appellation. It gives me
great Satisfaction to learn that Brother Will" enjoys better
health than he had lately done & that you are also well, for this
Information I thank you & desire nothing more than that you
may continue to send me the same Account. It is now almost
a twelve month since I received any Letters from England
except of yours & a short one of little Consequence from M'
Calvert, this I mention lest any of Brother Williams or your
own should have been miscarried & I condemned for not
duly acknowledging the Receipt of them & returning Answers.
I have been near a fortnight at this Place waiting the Com-
mands of Lord Loudoun who desired Governor Dobbs M' Din-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 531

widdie & myself to meet him here the 17"' Inst, but by what I LetterBk.iii
can find I shall not have the pleasure of seeing His Ldp nor
be at Liberty to return home for some time. At present His
Ldp is endeavouring to persuade the Eastern Gov" to take
such Measures & grant such Supplies as may enable him to
act offensively next Summer %i I presume he will desire us to
press our respective Assemblies to follow their Example, but I
hope the Execution of His Ldp's Plan is not to depend on the
Resolutions of any American Assemblies, if it must I shall be
much afraid for the Event few of our People seem to be suf-
ficiently sensible of all the Dangers that threaten them & fewer
disposed to contribute generously to remove those that they
cannot help perceiving. Some Men have indeed been sup-
ported by each of the Colonies for the immediate Protection of
their own Frontiers but as these cannot be kept on foot with-
out Expence they have talked in Virginia & in this Province
more particularly of disbanding them however I cannot
beleive that the Assemblies will be extravagant enough to take
so extraordinary a measure. I shall Address a Letter to
Brother William after I have seen Lord Loudoun & before I
leave Phila^ I may then perhaps have something worthy
Notice to communicate, at present I have Nothing but I am
D^ B^ Y- mo aff^

[Loudoun to Sharpe.] Original.

New York Feberuary 28''' 1757 —
Sir

I had yesterday the Pleasure of yours of the 21=' with an
Account of your Assembly's being to meet March 1 7"^ Affairs
stand thus, from the Ice in the River and the Floods, Major
General Abercromby, was not able to get here till last night,
and we are now beginning to Sett every thing Necessary for
the opperations of this Campaign in motion, which with the
dispatching the Packet, ready to sail, will take all this Week,
and I shall sett out on Sunday March 6''' or Monday the 7"" to
Attend you, & I think our Business my be finish'd at Phila-
delphia by the 20'*" from where you will be able to ludge what
time it will be Necessary for you to Ajourne your Assembly to.
I am Extremely sorry to have been obliged to detain you so
long but the Arrival of Letters from the Government at Home,
and the Impractability of the Roads in some Parts of the
Country have been the sole Cause of it.

I ever am with great Regard
Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
To Governor Sharp. Loudoun.

532 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Original. [Loudoun to Sharpe.]

New York March 2^ 1757.
Sir

A I have received His Majestys Orders to make prepara-
tions, for vigorous & Offensive Operations, in the ensueing
Critical & important Campaign,

This obliges me, to recommend it to you, to lay an Embargo,
on the Port or Ports of your Government, least I should not be
able, to carry that Plan to the extent, that the importance of it
requires.

As you must be sensible of the necessity of secrecy, in
operations of this nature, I cannot doubt, that you will Excuse,
my not laying the Plan before you.

This measure I see necessary to recommend to Virginia,
and all the Governments northward of it, that His Majestys
Services may not be disappointed, of a Supply of such Ships or
Vessels, as may be necessary for carrying this important Ser-
vice into Execution, so essential to the welbeing of His
Majestys Colonies.

From the present situation of Affairs, and the advanced
Season, there has not been time, to concert this measure with
the different Governments; but I have the Satisfaction to
Acquaint you, that in Consequence of this recommendation, an
Embargo has this day taken place in the port and Ports of this
Province ; and I can have no doubt, from your Zeal, that in
support of the common Cause, your Province will follow so
good an Example. I must therefore desire you will send me
by the return of this Express, an account of the Ships and
Vessels in your Ports, and their Tonnage, fitt for Transporting
Troops ; that I may give you the earliest notice, of what part
of them, will be necessary to take into His Majestys Service.

And I must further desire, that this may not be made Publick
till the Embargo is actually laid on.

I am with great regard,
Sir

Your most Obedient

Humble Servant

Loudoun —

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

Phila^ the 23'^ of March 1757 & transmitted by M' Franklin in

the Packett.
My Lord

In a Letter which I sent by the N York Packett the 23'^ of
Feb^ I desired M' Calvert to advise your Ldp of my being

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 533

come hither with Governor Dobbs & M' Dinwiddie in obedi- Letter bi<. i.
ence to Letters which we had severally received from the Earl P' "^^
of Loudoun who intended to have met Us the ly"* of last
Month but by reason of some unavoidable Delay in the
Northern Governments could not reach Phil"" before the 16'*'
Inst. Since that time His Lordship has been pleased to com-
municate to us his intended plan of operations for the ensuing
Campaign & to signify what Assistance he expects & requires
from the several Colonies with the Gov' of which We have the
honour to be intrusted. For the Defence of the Northern
Colonies I find His Ldp. intends to leave under the Command
of General Webb one of the old Regiments the N York Inde-
pendant Companies & a Battalion of the Royal Americans to
be joined by about 5000 Provincials that the Eastern Colonies
have engaged to furnish for that Service. For the better
Defence of these Southern Colonies Colonel Stanwix will be
ordered to encamp somewhere near the Frontiers of this Prov-
ince with five Companies of the first Battalion of Royal
Americans & the other half of the Battalion will be ordered to
South Carolina under the Command of Lieut' Col° Bouquet.
It is proposed that 1400 Men shall be raised & supported by
this Province of whom 1000 are to be disposed of on the
Frontiers of Pensilvania & the other 200 sent to South Caro-
lina, that 500 Men shall be supported by the Province of
Maryland on our own Frontiers viz' 300 to garrison Fort
Cumberland & 200 for Fort Frederick & to keep the Com-
munication open between the two Places. The Virginians are
to raise & Support 1000 Men of whom 400 are to be sent to
South Carolina & 600 posted on their own Frontiers. 400
Men are required of North Carolina of whom 100 are to be p. 263
ordered to the Western Frontier of that Province, 100 to the
Sea Coast & 200 to South Carolina. What Number the
Province of So. Carolina is to support I know not but it will be
left to them to victual all the Forces that are sent to them hence
& from the other Colonies & as there is room to fear that the
French are meditating an Expedition ag" that Province it is
not doubted but they will themselves raise a considerable
Number of Men on this Occasion. Since my Arrival here an
Embargo has been laid by His Ldp's Orders in all the Ports
north of the Carolinaes that His Ldp might be supplied with
Shipping & Sailors for the Transportation of the Troops &
Stores that he intends to take hence, The Trading People
complain heavily of this Step but as His Majesty's Service
absolutely required it I hope your Ldp will approve of my
sending the same Orders to the Collectors & Naval Ofificers in
your Ldp's Province, that Governor Denny & the other Gov-
ernors gave to the Port-Officers under their Direction. As

534 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. I. His Ldp has no farther Commands for us Governors Din-
widdle Dobbs & Myself intend to set off for Annapolis next
Friday Morning. The Assembly is to meet there the Monday
following, if the Small Pox rages less there than it has lately
done perhaps we shall be able to get a House but if the Mem-
bers decline coming thither for fear of that Distemper I shall
with the Advice of your Ldps Council prorogue the Assembly
for a few Days & then appoint them to meet at Baltimore
Town in Case the Small Pox should not be at that place.
As a considerable part of the ^40,000 remains still unexpended
I hope I shall be able to persuade the Assembly to furnish the
p. 264 Quota that His Lordship requires of them (which indeed I
think no large one & I hope too they will raise the Additional
Supplies that I shall ask by such means as will be agreeable to
Your Ldp tho I am afraid that M"^ Denny's being pressed by
Ld Loudoun to recede from some Points that he has been
insisting on with his Assembly will have an ill Effect on the
Assemblies of the other Provinces. As to the Question between
Gov' Denny & the Assembly whether the Proprietaries Quit
Rents & unimproved Lands should be subjected to a Tax I
hear it is to be waved for the present but the Assembly have
deputed two Members of their House to go to England to
make Application to Parliament & to endeavour to get the
Sense of the Legislature of Great Britain on the Matters about
which their Governors & they have been unhappily contending.
It was reported here yesterday that some Indians whom We
look upon as our Friends are come into a Fort which the
Troops in the pay of this Province have been building at a
Place called Shamokin (at the Forks of Susquehanna about 100
Miles North- West from this Place) & declare that the French
& Indians at Venango to the Number of 800 are making Prep-
arations to make a Descent on Shamokin as soon as the
Weather will permit. The Garrison at present there does not
consist of more than 200 Men but I hope if the Enemy have
really any such Design it will be reinforced before they can
carry it into Execution. I shall embrace the first opportunity
of Conveyance that offers to acquaint Your Ldp with my Suc-
cess with the Assembly & with every Occurrence which may be
worthy your Ldp's Notice in the mean time I remain My Ld
Y' Ldp's

mo faithful & mo devoted Serv'

265 [Sharpe to Calvert.]

24'*" March 1757.
Sir

As I am obUged to wait on Lord Loudoun this Morning &
am afraid that I shall scarcely find time before I leave this place

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 535

to write you a long Letter I take the Liberty to send you a Letter
Copy of one that I inclose to His Lordship whence you will
learn what Steps are taking here & what His Ldp has given us
in Charge. I shall set off for Annapolis to Morrow that I may
be able to get thither by the Day that I have appointed to
meet the Assembly. I do not know when His Ldp will order
the Embargo to be taken off but as soon as any Vessels shall
be permitted to sail I shall take Care to advise you of my Suc-
cess with the Assembly & of every other Occurrence worthy
your Notice —

[Sharpe to Wm. Sharpe.] Letter Bk. in

Phil^" 24"' March 1757—

As I shall not probably have any other opportunity of trans-
mitting Letters to England for some time by reason of an
Embargo which the Earl of Loudoun has ordered to be laid in
the several Colonies I write now by the Packett to acquaint you
that in Obedience to a Letter which I received from His Ldp
I came hither with Gov' Dinwiddle the 16"' of last Month
expecting to have the Satisfaction of seeing His Ldp according
to Appointment the Day after. I presume that when His Ldp
writ to us he hoped the New England People would have been
as ready to enter on & dispatch Business as he could be but as
that was by no means the Case he was not able to reach this
Place before the 14"' Inst, since which time he has communicated
to Us the Plan of Operations that he proposes to persue this
Summer & given Gov' Dobbs M' Dinwiddie Gov' Denny &
Myself to understand what Assistance he expects from the
several Provinces with the Gover' of which we are respectively
entrusted. The Number of Men that We have agreed the
several Southern Colonies ought to raise & support this Sum-
mer & that His Ldp thereupon requires of them is from Pens'*
1400. Maryland 500. Virg* 1000 N° Carolina 400 to be
disposed of in the following manner. 1200 of the Pens^
Troops on the Frontiers of this Province & the other 200 to be
sent to S° Carolina. 300 of the Maryland Forces at Fort
Cumberland & the other 200 at Fort Frederick & between the
two Forts. Of the Virginians 600 on the Frontiers of that
Province & 400 to be sent to S° Carolina, of the Men to be
raised in N Carolina 100 are to be posted on the Western
Frontiers of that Province 100 on the Sea Coast & 200 sent to
S° Carolina, beside the Provincials abovementioned Lieut' Col°
Bouquet will be ordered to So Carolina with five Companies
of the first Battalion of Royal Americans as there is great
reason to fear that the French will make an Attempt on that

53^ Correspojidettce of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk.iii Colony; & the other five Companies of that BattaHon are to
encamp under the command of Col° Stanwix somewhere near
the Western Frontier of this Province. If our respective
Assemblies will enable us to raise the Number of men required
by His Ldp We hope by this Disposition of them to secure
our Frontiers effectually till we know the Success of the Expe-
dition which I doubt not but you know His Ldp is about to
undertake. To defend the Frontiers of the Northern Colonies
& prevent any Incursions from Canada this Summer His Ldp
intends to leave behind him one of the old Regiments a Bat-
talion of the Royal Americans & the N York Independant
Companies under the Command of General Webb & to these
we expect will be added about 5000 Provincials from the
Eastern Colonies. The other old Regiments now on the Con-
tinent together with two Battalions of the Royal Americans &
a few Companies of Provincials from Boston will receive
Orders to embark as soon as His Ldp thinks proper to begin
the Campaign Yesterday an Account was brought by some
Indians whom we look upon as our Friends that the French are
making preparations at Venango & intend to attempt a Fort
which the Troops of this Province have been building at a
place in the Maps called Shamokin at the Conflux of the two
Branches of the Susquehanna River about 100 Miles N W from
this place. The Garrison at present consists of no more than
190 Men but it is hoped that if the French have really a Design
on it the Weather will prevent their putting it in execution
till the Garrison can be reinforced. The Assembly of this
Province has been sitting almost without Interruption ever
since November last, I beleive at the Request of Lord
Loudoun M' Denny will at length consent to accept a Bill
which they have framed for granting a Sum of Money for His
Majesty's Service tho it be contrary to the Instructions that the
Proprietaries have been pleased to give him. I hope I shall
not find myself under the same disagreeable Necessity when I
meet our Assembly next week but His Ldp seems to insist on
our obtaining Supplies at any Rate & says if the Assemblies
should be unreasonable in their Requisitions they may expect
to have their Conduct examined afterwards at home & be cen-
sured as they shall deserve — I am &c —

[Sharpe to Dagworthy.]

Fort Frederick dated at Annapolis the 30"' of March 1757 &

did the next Morning to Colo. Washington —
Sir

You are as soon as possible after you receive this to march
to Fort Cumberland with your own Company & as many Men

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 537

of that commanded by Capt Joshua Beall as will make the Letter
Number 150. On your Arrival there Lieut' Col° Steven or the
officer that at present commands in that place will deliver up
the Fort with its Artillery & all the Kings Stores that shall
be therein, for the Stores you are to pass a Receipt as well as
for the Provisions that the Commanding Officer shall have
Orders to leave for the use of the Troops under your Command,
with these Provisions you are to have the Garrison supplied as
the Men have been at Fort Frederick till you receive farther
Orders. You are to look on Col° Stanwix (who is about to
march with a Detachment of the Royal American Regiment
towards the Frontiers of Pensilv^') as your Commanding Officer
during the Summer or till you receive farther Orders & you
are regularly to correspond with & make due Returns to him
accordingly not neglecting however to write to me & to advise
me of all your Proceedings as you have hitherto done.
I am &c —

[Dinwiddle to Sharpe.] Original.

Williamsburg Ap' s"' 1757.
Sir

I arrived here Thursday morning after I left Annapolis, & I
found a Letter from Gov' Lyttleton, who is very apprehensive
the French design to invade S" Carolina by Sea from Hispaniola
& by Land from Mississippi, & has wrote fully to Lord
Loudoun on that Head desir^ assistance, which I forward with
this.

I have order'd CoI° Washington to march down to Fred-
ericksburg 200 of the men from Fort Cumberland, to be
transported to S° Carolina, not doubting but You have order'd
Your Forces to garison that Fortress in the room of the Vir-
ginians, & I think [proper to] acquaint You therewith, that no
Delay may be given to the Assistance of M' Lyttleton.

I have been confin'd to my Chamber ever since arrival by a
violent Cold. — The Expresses Col° Tasker was so kind to send
were paid here — My Complim" to M"^ Ridout & I remain with
great Regard & Esteem

Sir

Your most obed' hble. Serv'
Rob' Dinwiddle

538 Correspondence of Governor Sharp e.

Copy. [Calvert to Sharpe.]

London April the 7''' 1757.
Sir

By Ace' from Ireland, Admiral Holbourn is sail'd with fifteen
of the Line & Transports on Board ab' eight Thousand Land
fforces with a Large Train of Artillery & Warlike stores for
America, the Fleet was wind bound above six weeks at
Spithead. By Cap' lohnston for Patuxent River with The
Trade convoy'd, I answer'd seven Letters of yo"" of 1756 with
his Lordships Instructions of that Date, confirming the sev-
eral Laws pass'd by you in the Sessions of Assembly Held
the s** of Feb^ 1756. with his Vice Admiral's commission &
divers other concerns, your requests to my Lord — Y'^ of the
16"' of Oct'' since reC* you mention "after passing An Act for
his Majesty's service with five others, you had prorogued the
Assembly & that you Inclosed a Copy of the Act above men-
tion'd," I have rec"* none, however by the lournals of the Upper
house of th' Assembly Held the 14"" of Sep"' & prorogued by
you to the 31" of March, the Act nor the five others passed
can I apprehend meet with disaprobation, but this you'l know
on Arival of the Laws to my Lord ; who well approves of yo''
conduct & gives him much satisfaction to understand that
from Fort Frederick you hear no Indian has been discover'd
near the Borders & that the Frontier Inhabitants were quiet &
easy; protected by Garrison Guard patroling between Poto-
mack & the Temporary Line. — His LordP' approves of y'' dis-
mission of M' Edw'' Tilghman Rent-Roll-keeper of the Eastern
shore he has no exception to M' W"" Thomas being in that
Office, save M'' Thomas's not residing on the shore, which he
observes will be very detrimental to his Affairs there bro' &
left in the greatest confussion by the neglect of M'^ Tilghman,
and only to be rectified by an assiduous, intelligent person
on the spot, for compiling the Rentals & charge of Rent to the
Tenants, the means for settling with the Farmers ; besides, the
Rental Books passing from shore to shore he thinks is too
hazardous by water of their being lost or Damaged: thus cir-
cumstanced, he's of opinion it will be best to appoint M'
Thomas into another Office, if he can't Reside on the Eastern
Shore or unless you can prevail on M'' Lloyd to exchange
Rent-Roll-keeper of the 'Western to the Eastern, as M"^ Thomas's
Residence is on the Western shore, perhaps M' Lloyd may
be for resigning the agency, if so Whether it would not be
greatly of advantage to my Lord's concerns instead of having
one Receiver General to have two, one Residing on each shore,
the circumstance of these Affairs he leaves to y"^ ludgement to
operate as opportunity serves, with notice thereof.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 539

The loss of Oswego is a bad Event & opens the way for the
Enemy's March to annoy the frontiers of the Southern Prov-
ince ; also relative to y'" of the s'' of Nov' concerning the
Assembly's extragant demands on his Lord^ he is well Inform'd
thereof by their proceeding i, e. the L. H — their ill will & the
other Colonies preversness against defence of themselves &
his Majesty's Dominions in America will bring on them the
Authority of Parliament, for obliging them to contribute their
respective Quota's & to exert their united fforce in Defence of
themselves & the Soveraign. The spies taken off ffort Cum-
berland, their Intelligence I hope has proved of Advantage
his LordP approves of f Presentation to the Rev"^ M' M'^Pher-
son to W'" & Mary Parish in Charles County, conformable to
his Instruction.

In y'' of the 23'' of Feb^ last from Philadelphia you mention
y'^ the 4"' of that Instant, which is not come to hand, nor the
Inclosed Copy of the Assembly of Pensilvania Proceedings.
The Complainants of that Province are not arrived.

By my Lord is shipp'd, Consign'd to you on Board the Ves-
sells call'd the Sally, & lohn & Ann, the Masters lohn lohns-
ton & ludson Coolidge, bound for Patapsco & Patuxent Rivers
in Maryland, Mark'd F. L. B. is put on Board each viz' forty
Barrells of Bullets & Twenty Barrells of Gunpowder for the
use of the Province und' your Direcdons. — M' Stuart has been
again this year with Complaint on the Duty he charges by the
Naval Officers that is Collected by them on Convicts, by the
Act for raising six Thousand pound for his Majesty's service,
.... seem'd perplex'd what to do? He told me, the Duty
Collected was Tantamount in Effect a prohibition to the Acts
of Parliament, the Authorides he transported & disposed of
them: I answ*^ I couldn't perceive his Authorties were any
way Questioned by the Maryland Act, nor could I conceive his
Authorities meant, on Gain by Traffick of them to Barr with
fforce of excluding such Dues in Common with the Subject, in
Support of his Majesty's Crown & Dignity & the Primary Law
of Nature — Self Defence ! But of this his LordP was Judge,
with Appeal to His Majesty in Council.^Since, he has pre-
sented his memorial of Complaint to the proprietor, who has
referred it for Advice to S' Robert Henley His Majesty's
Attor^ Gen' His wrangling Occaisioned by the opinion of the
Provincial Lawyers to the Naval Officers for requiring the
Duty, obscure by the Law, tends to the disquiet of the Pro-
prietor, the Province, to you the Lieu' Govern'' Naval Officers
& all parties Concerned, from a measure set into Debate.

A Petition by lohn Beadnall of Queen Ann's County in
Maryland stiling himself Clerk, has been presented the Lord
proprietor setting forth inter al' viz' . . " towards the close of

540 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

the last Summer out of Malevolent Spirit ag' persons of the
Roman Catholick persuasion two Indictm'' were preferred &
Bills found by the Grand lury for Talbot County in the said
province ag' y' Petitioner as Clerk & Priest of the Church of
Rome for having as one of the s'' Indictments alledged on the
20"" day of Aug' 1756 (& at sundry times before & since) in
the House of David lones & Tho' Browning in the said County
Officiated Mass

And by the other of the s*^ Indictments it was Alledged
that y' Petitioner on the i^' of Aug' 1756 (& at sundry times
before & since in the s"* County) had strove endeavoured &
practice to persuade & withdraw Rachael Mackmanus Spinster
from her Religion of a Protestant Dissenter (being bred a
Quaker) to the Religion of the Church of Rome; and w*"
Indictments y' Petitioner was on the 29"^ Day of Sep' last taken
up & obliged to give Bail in 1500I penalty for his Appear-
ance " . . He denies the charge of having endeavoured with-
draw the s"* Rachael Mackmanus from her Religion." says,
" he never had any serious Conversation with her on the sub-
ject in all his life " As to the Charge for saying Mass, says,
"he conceives it not nor ever was intention to forbid the Excer-
cise of the Roman Catholick Religion in private Family's &
would tend to Depopulate that proffitable Colony & as was
declared by an order by her Majesty in Council the -^^ of Jan^'
1705. . And at this pres' time the Romish Religion is not only
in Pensilvania tolerated, but the Quakers there have Contri-
buted to the Building in the Capital (Philadelphia) a Chappie
for the Roman Catholicks, where they perform Worship pub-
lickly &c.

He concludes his Petition .... Humbly pray y' Lordship
would be pleased to Order the Govern' of the s'^ Province of
Maryland to direct the Attor^ General there to Grant a Noli
prosequi to the said Indictments. Or in Case of any Convic-
tion to Grant y' Petitioner a Pardon.

In answer to the said Petition. I write y' Brother loshua
Sharpe Attor^" & Soil' for the above party, to Inform the Party
by the directions of my Lord Viz' "That his Lord^ has consid-
ered the Contents of M' Beadnall's Petition delivered him, that
the Method in the prosecution of Roman Catholicks on Relig-
ious Concerns in Maryland is by known Laws not only of the
Province But also, by Acts of Parliament throughout his
Majesty's Realm, that he sets up no Persecution upon them.
But if they are brought before his Provincial Courts of lustice
arraigned & accused, on Conviction they are to be punished ;
that he is wholly unacquainted with the Contents of the Peti-
tion from his Lieu' Governor, cannot from the matter set forth
comply with the prayer of the said M' Beadnall's Petition "

C. C.

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 541

May the 20"' 1757 an Express arrived from Col. York, his
Majesty's Minister & plenipotentiary at the Hague, an ace' of
the Victory obtain'd by the King of Prussia over the Austrian
Army. The King being inform'd that Marshal Brown was
resolved to maintain the Post he had taken on the Other side
of the Moldau ; his Majesty pass'd that River, with a smal
part of his own Army, & being joind by that under the Com-
mand of Marshall Schwerin, determin'd to attack the Enemy,
though much Superior in number of Troops & post'd besides
in a Camp almost inaccessible, the Prussian Officers & men
vived with each other in passing Defiles, in crossing marshes,
& Seizing the rising ground, till at Length after a Long &
obstinate engagement, the Enemy was forced to abandon the
field of Battle, leaveing behind them the greatest part of their
Artillery, all their Tents, all their Bagage & in a word their
whole Camp —

Marshall Schwerin was kill'd & Several others ; the Loss of
the Austrians greater not only in the Number of the Dead &
Wounded, but also in the Number of Prisoners; insomuch,
that this Battle may be reckon'd deccisive, & not less reason
than Glorious in its Consequence the main Body of the
Austrians with the Princes of Blood &c. retired, & are coop'd
up in Prague. This Letter has been y" months on my Table
for want of safe Passage by convoy, the delay gives opper-
tunity of Acquainting you the Establishment of the Adminis-
tration here into the great Offices, which has been under pause
some time, now fix'd Viz. S' Robert Henley Lord-Keeper of
the Great Seal. His Grace of Newcastle first Lord of the
Treasury. The R' Hon"" Bilson Legge Chan' of the Excheq"^
Lord Anson first Lord of Admiralty. The Earl of Temple
Lord privy Seal. The Earl Gower Master of the Horse. The
R' Hon'''" Henry Fox pay Master of the fforces. The Hon''''=
Geo. Greenville Treasurer of the Navy. The R' Hon"= W""
Pitt Seci" of State. M"^ Pratt Counsel at Law Attor^ Gen' with
other particulars in the Inclosed News Papers & with particu-
lars of the unsuccessful action near Kaurzim in Bohemia lune
the 18"' when the Prussians retired & left the Austrians masters
of the field of Batde, & Occasioned the King of Prusia
immediatly, to raise the Blockade of Prague & retire towards
Leitmeritz His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland has
repassed the Weser to dispute the Passage with the French ;
the Odds are dreaded, the Latter being in Number tis said
superiour 50000, the Issue of Things bear Melancholy Pres-
sage, Pray God avert the Evil & may all happiness Attend you.
Yours truly Csecil" Calvert.

Post, by this Letter & mine of the
16"' of Decem' last I have answ"*
y" received from you unto luly
the 10''' this Instant

542 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

On closing this Letter I have received y'' of the 24''' of March
with your Packet from Philadelphia, The steps you Advise
Lord Loudoun has taken & Plan'd for the Deffence of
the Colonies is so Judicious & well-concerted towards the
security & for the Preservation of the Southern Provinces, that
it can't be suppos'd that the maintenance of such reasonable
& benificial requisits can meet with objection or refusal from
each Province towards furnishing their quotas. As to the
question bet" Gov' Denny & the Assembly, whether the Pro-
prietaries Mess" Penns Quit rents & unimproved Lands should
l)e subject to a Tax? Tis apprehended here the sending Mes-
sengers for a Solution to England is rediculous, to imagine
that Lands shall be subject to a Tax in a double capacity. The
Tennants of Quit rent do pay Tax, exclusive of the small rent
payable by the Tennant to the Lord, therefore 'tis ludg'd the
Imposition will be rejected here, as ag' the Right of the Crown
Lord Paramount & Lord Mesne. With regard to the latter
dem'' the Injustice is so glaring as determines Conviction on
itself.

Not any thing as yet has been carried into execution bet.
Lord Baltimore & Mess"^' Penns with respect to Boundaries,
the matter is under reference with the Lawyers on both sides.
Their doubts have no resolves. I am of Opinion the Prayer
of M' Stuarts Memorial will be rejected. I am Informed M"
Young is dead, wife of M' Young whom My Lord directed to
be of the Council of State, she dying without Issue by him &
your Policy pointing otherways than him in that Station it will
h& Acceptable I think to his Lordp if you fill up that Vacancy
with M' Bordley Attor^' Gen' if you Approve. As to M"^ Young
he aught to enjoy his Emoluments of Office & better if he
merits. My Lord Insists on M' Wogan's affair. I have Rece''
this year no Remittances. I've deliv"^ y' several Inclosed L'^

To his Excell>' Horatio Sharpe L' Governor of Maryland.

Letter Bk. Ill [Sharpe to Loudoun.]

Baltimore 16"" April 17=57 —
MyLd

I now take the Liberty to introduce to your Lordship M'
Woolford & M' Nicholson the two Gent" who have been some
time employed recruiting here for the Royal American Regi-
ment & have an Ambition of serving under your Ldp the
ensuing Campaign. Immediately on my Return to Annapolis
I ordered Capt Dagworthy to march with 150 Men to Fort
Cumberland as soon as Col° Washington should deliver my
Letter which I desired him to do upon his receiving In-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 543

structions from Gover' Dinwiddle to draw the Virg"* Troops Letter Bk. in

from that place, & as Gov'' Dinwiddie has since informed

me that he has sent M' Washington such orders I suppose

the Maryland Forces are e'er this in possession of the Fort.

I have ordered the Sheriff in whose Custody Corporal W°

Douglass of the second Battalion was to set him at Liberty

& become Bail for him agreeable to Your Ldp's Intention, &

whenever the Affair shall be brought to an Issue before the

Court I shall give the Attorney Gen' Directions to appear in

the Corporal's Behalf. I could not get our Assembly to meet

till the 8"' Inst. They have been prevailed on to vote 500

Men for the Defence of this Province & to act in Conjunction

with any other Troops that your Ldp shall order, but as they

are exceedingly tedious in doing Business I am afraid 'twill be

some time before I shall be impowered by an Act of Assembly

to order the Additional Companies to be raised, I once more

beg Leave to wish your Ldp Success in your Undertakings &

am &c —

[Sharpe to Stanwix.]

Baltimore 18"" April 1757.
D^S^

Having an opportunity of sending a Letter to Phi^ by a
Young Gent" whom I have employed some time to recruit for
the Royal Americans & who is now going to offer his Service
to the Earl of Loudoun, I embrace it to inform you that in
pursuance of Orders which I sent to Capt Dagworthy the 30'''
of last Month he is marched with a Detachment of 150 men to
take Possession of Fort Cumberland upon the Virginians
relinquishing that place the Rest of our Provincials (who
together amount at this time to 250 effective Men) remain at
Fort Frederick under the Command of Capt x^lex' Beall who
as well as Capt Dagworthy has my Instructions to make
Returns to you & to obey all orders that you may be pleased
to send them. I hope I shall prevail on our Assembly to
enable me to augment our Troops to 500 Men, they have
passed a Vote to that Effect but as they are generally very
tedious in doing Business & as I understand that they are at
present inclined to assume a little more power with regard to
the Appointment of Officers than I can allow them I am afraid
the Augmentation will not be made so soon as it might be &
as I could wish. I beg you'll present my Compl" to Col° Young
if he is with you & that you'll beleive me to be with the great-
est Regard &c.

544 Corresponde7ice of Governor Sharpe.

Original. [St. Clair to Sharpe.]

New Brunswick in lersey Ap: iS"" 1757
Dear Sir

I received your most obliging Letter from Philadelphia dated
about the 26''' of last month, I am much obliged to you for
your Care & concern of me, and shoud think my self very
happy if I were able to travel to Annapolis, that I might accept
of your kind Invitation.

The Phisicians have sent me to this place for the Air and to
be out of the way of Business, they thought it dangerous for
me to cross the Sea in my situation, and they tell me that living
on Vegetables & milk with moderate exercise is the only
chance I have for recovering; I am sure you will think it hard
to have this Sentence pronounced against me and what appears
strange to me, is that I have neither Sickness nor pain & I
sleep & eat as I used to do. I have intirely got into a sene of
life new to me, I hope I shall have temper enough to go thro'
with it, I ride out twice a Day in my Chariot, as for the rest
of my time I pass it away in doing nothing, and comfort my
self with thinking I shall not live to be troublesome to man-
kind, as the Phisicians say a few months will determine my
fate, If it is descided in my favour I hope to see you in the
Autumn & I promise you a long visit.

There is nothing new in these parts every body uneasy
untill we hear from England, Marshall of the Independents
has been before a Court Martial, and is broke, I believe his
Lop will find it a difficult matter to get a Lieu' of any standing
to accept of the Company it being in so bad a Condition. I
shall be glad to hear from you, for the hearing from one for
whom I have so great a Regard will always give me pleasure.
I am with the greatest Respect Dear Sir,
Gov' Sharpe. Your most obedient and most humble Ser'

John S'Clair.

iber J. K. [Letter from Cherokee Indians.!

& u. s. ■- -"

'^53"6|^ Pofj Frederick 29. April 1757.

Brother of Maryland.

I this Day came into your Province with a Company of our
Nation in our Way to War against the French Shuanoes, and
all their Indians hearing they killed some of our Brothers, not
knowing when we set off from Winchester but the Murder
was committed in Virginia but coming to this Fort found we
were in another province and on being informed by Captain
Beadle that our Brother the Governor of this Province had a
real Love for our Nation, and that he had provided Clothes for

Coyrespondence of Governor Sharpe. 545

our Nation though unacquainted with us, I have just now Liber j.r.
held a Council with my young Warriors, and has concluded to '^ ^•j'-
write to you to acquaint you our Brother, our Design of coming p. 164
into this Province was hearing from our good Brother the
Governor of Virginia that it was the Desire of our Father King
George that we would join the English in War against the
French and their Indians, on hearing this News we immedi-
ately took up the Hatchet against the French and their
Indians, and holds it fast 'till we make use of it which I expect
will be in a few Days, we intend to set out immediately from
this Fort, and on our Return expect to meet you our Brother
here to make ourselves acquainted with you if you can't
come yourself, you will send one of your beloved men with
your Talk to which we will look upon as from your own
Mouth, I hope you will let the province of Fensilvania know
that I am come this Length to War and if they are in need of
our Assistance I have men plenty at Home and will not think
it troublesome to come and fight for our Brothers. I set off
from home with 1 50 men, Part of which is gone to Fort Cum-
berland forty more by this is come to Winchester, our People
will be so frequent now amongst you that I wish you mayn't
think us troublesome, our Heart achs to see our Brothers
Bones scattered about the Country but you will hear in a short
time we have got Satisfaction for our Brothers, and in con-
firmation of what I have spoke I have sent you these few white
Beads to confirm my Regard to this province likewise I have
sent you these black Beads to convince you that I have taken
up the Hatchett against all the English Enemies, we intend
to stay as long amongst our Brothers as there is use for us
I hope our good Brother wont be backward in providing
Necessaries for us, I have sent you a List of what is useful
for us, and have got our good Friend M' Ross to carry this
Letter to you which we shall always acknowledge as a par-
ticular friend to us, as we expect to see you soon we will say
no more at present, but remain your Loving Brothers.

his

Wahachey — of Keeway

Mark

[Loudoun to Sharpe.] Original.

New York April 30"" 1757.
Sir.

Its having been represented to me, that at the Time of laying
on the Embargo, there were a Number of Vessels in the several
ports of the provinces, where the Embargo took place, that
were actually loaded & Cleared, previous to the Embargo
beinsr laid ;

546 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

And being desirous to give every Ease, to the Trade, con-
sistant with Carrying on the Service I have consulted with Sir
Charles Hardy, & we both agree, that considering the For-
wardness, in which the Transports now are, that the said Ships
so loaded & clear'd at the Time of laying the Embargo, may,
without prejudice to his Majesty's Service, be permitted to
depart on Friday the b"-^ Day of March next.

And I am in Hopes of having Things soon in such Forward-
ness, as to be able to write to you, to take off all restraint
from the Shiping on Account of that part of His Majesty's
Service, that I am particularly appointed to manage. I am,
with great Regard

Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant,
Loudoun.

To The Hon"= Horatio Sharpe Esq'

Original. [Sir Charles Hardy to Sharpe.]

Fort George New York 30''' April 1757.
Sir

As there was some Ships and Vessels in this Port that were
actually Loaded and Cleared out when the General Embargo
was laid on, and the Transports taken up for his Majestys
Service being in great forwardness ; I have with the Advice of
his Majesty's Council given leave to such Ships and Vessels
to depart on a certain day agreable to the Inclos'd minute of
Council, to which I beg leave to referr you, and shall only
observe, that no ships or Vessels that were not Cleared on the
2^ day of March last, will be permitted to Sail, But the
Embargo will be continued till his Majestys Service will admit
of taking it off, in all which I hope your Government will
Concurr.

I am with great regard
Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
Cha^ Hardy
The Hon'''= Governor Sharpe.

Liber J. K. fLoudoun to Sharpe.]

& u. s. ^ ^ -■

'753-6^ New York May 5"' 1757

As I have received a Copy of a Letter from one of his
Majesty's principal Secretary's of State to you, signifying his

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 547

Majesty's Pleasure that you should apply to your Council and Liber j. r.

1753-67-

Assembly in the strongest manner to raise with the utmost * ^' ^'

Expedition as large a number of Provincial Troops as may be
for the Service of the ensuing Campaign over and above what
they shall judge necessary for the immediate Defence of their
own Province. And as I am now preparing agreeable to his
Majesty's Orders to me to leave this Province with the Trans-
ports in order to join the Fleet, and succours from Europe,
It's necessary to acquaint you that I shall leave Major General
Webb to command at Albany and the Forts with a Body of
his Majesty's regular Forces, together with the Troops raised
by the northern Colonies, who will have the principal Com-
mand during my Absence. And that in Consequence of the
Plan settled at the meeting I had with the Governors of the
Southern Provinces at Philadelphia, I leave Colonel Stanwix
with 5 Companies of the first Battalion of the Royal American
Regiment to take Post in the Back Parts of Pensilvania, and
to have the Command of the remaining Part of the Pensilvania
Troops, the Troops raised in Maryland, and the remain-
ing Part of the Troops raised in Virginia. And that I detach
Lieutenant Colonel Bouquet with the other 5 Companies of
that Battalion to South Carolina, who carrys with him two
hundred of the Pensilvania Troops four hundred of the Vir-
ginia Troops, and have ordered two hundred of the Troops
raised by North Carolina to meet him in South Carolina where
he is to take the Command of his Majesty's three independent
Companies, and likewise of the Troops raised by the Province of
South Carolina for the Security of that, and the most southernly
Provinces. And in order to prevent any Dispute hereafter, it
will be necessary here to remind you, that at that Meeting it
was settled, and is agreeable to his Majestys Orders from his
principal Secretary of State that I should supply the Provincial
Troops detached from Pensilvania, Virginia, and North Caro-
lina to South Carolina but that the Provincial Troops who
remain and are employed for the Defence of their respective
Provinces should be entirely supported and maintained by the
Provinces by whom they are raised. As the Plan we had set-
tled before the Arrival of his Majesty's Orders by his principal
Secretary of State, I hope if punctually and speedily executed
on your Part will prevent any immediate Danger, I must
recommend it to you in the most earnest manner that you will
immediately in Consequence of his Majestys Orders signified
to you set about raising and getting in Readiness, a consider-
able Force to be ready to join and support the Troops already
agreed upon to be raised for the public Service.

And that you will in the meantime give orders that the p- 1S2
Militia of your Province should be properly armed and fur-

& u. s.
J 753-67-

548 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Liber J. R. iiished with Ammunition, and have a standing order to march
to the Aid and Assistance of the Forces already appointed on
the Requisition of the Commander of them, and that this
Order should be more particularly given and enforced in such
Parts of your Province as are most nearly situated to those
Forces or the Passes through which the Enemy can enter
without waiting for any further orders from you: From your
Zeal for the Public Service I cannot doubt of your complying
with this Recommendation, and hope if the necessary orders
are given, and stricdy obeyed by them to receive the same
Benefit from your Militia that we did lately on the Enemy's
Attempt on Fort William Henry from the Militia in the upper
parts of this Country. I shall send a Copy of this to Col°
Stanwix, to whom by Philadelphia I desire you will communi-
cate the Orders you give, and to whom, that he may know
what Officers of your Militia to call upon on any Emergency,
and that you will likewise transmit a Copy to me at New
York

I am with great Regard Sir

Your most obed' hble serv'
Loudoun

[Sharpe to Dinwiddle.]

5'" May 1757-

I was sorry to find by your Letter dated the 5''' of April that
you have been indisposed since your Return to Williamsburg,
I hope you are e'er this perfectly recovered & that you will
long continue to enjoy a good State of health. Before Colo.
Washington left Annapolis I gave him a Letter to Capt Dag-
worthy to be delivered as soon as the Col° should receive your
orders to withdraw the Virginians from Fort Cumberland & I
learn that in pursuance of my Instructions Capt Dagworthy
has taken Possession of that place with a Detachment of 1 50
effective Men from the Troops in the Pay of this Province.
You will see by the inclosed Copy of a Return which Capt
Dagworthy has sent me what quantity of Provisions & Stores
were delivered to him on his Arrival at the Fort & in what
Condition they were delivered. He informs me that the Beef
is so very bad that the Men will not touch it & that he is
obliged to victual them entirely with Fish till a fress Supply of
Provisions can be sent him from Fort Frederick. You will be
pleased to write to Col° Washington & to give him orders to
remove or destroy the Beef as you shall think proper. As the
Gentlemen of the Assembly did not come to Annapolis accord-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 549

ing to Appointment on Account of the Small-Pox 1 prorogued Letter Bk.
them to the 8''' of last Month, & then met them at this Place,
they have at length framed a Bill whereby I shall be impow-
ered to augment the Troops in the pay of this Province to 500
Men but they are exceedingly averse to having any of them
posted at Fort Cumberland, I have signified to them that
Capt Dagvvorthy has already Possession of that place in obedi-
ence to Lord Loudoun's orders,but they do not choose to take
any Notice of my Message. As the Agents named in our Bill
will contract with a Person to victual our Troops as they have
before done I can say nothing about the Salt, Flour Biskett
Hog's Lard & Tallow that has been delivered to Capt Dag-
worthy but I shall desire the Person who may contract to wait
on Col° Washington or the Officer commanding at Winchester
& with your Approbation to agree with him for the same. I
presume the Fish & Beans are part of the Stores that Gen'
Braddock left, Capt Dagworthy will keep an Account of what
quantity of either he draws for but I suppose that quantity
will not be great. He informs me that there is a considerable
Number of Cherokee Catawba & Nottoway Indians with him
at present & that they expect to be joined by many others
from their respective Tribes, who upon your Invitation have
declared in our favour & are come from home to act in Con-
junction with the Forces that are supported for the Defence of
these Colonies. As our Assembly is so excessively parcimo-
nious that they will not give any Officer or the Commissary
Leave to furnish any Persons whatsoever with Provisions
beside the Men borne on the Muster Rolls & will agree to
Nothing wherein Fort Cumberland is mentioned, Dagworthy is
much distressed & knows not what to do with the Indians who
visit him, to deny them Provisions when they are come by
our Invitation & to serve us would in all Probability be attended
with very bad Consequences, & I have no Fund or Sum of
Money under my Command as Governor of this Province out
of which I could order a Shilling to be paid on the most press-
ing occasion therefore I must submit this Affair to your Con-
sideration hoping you will be able to free Capt Dagworthy
from the Difficulties in which he finds himself at present
involved. We have not yet received any certain Advice of
the Arrival of the Fleet expected from England nor of the
Embarkation of any Men in the Northern Colonies. I under-
stand that the Earl of Loudoun remains at N York & Col° Stan-
wix with the first Battalion of Royal Americans at Phila'' —
I am &c —

550 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Original. [St. Clair to Sharpe.]

New York May 6"" 1757
Dear Sir

My being in the Country for 3 weeks has so much recovered
me that I have been able to return to this place to see how
things are going on, and I propose staying untill His Lop sails
which I hope will be in ten Days at furthest. Our affairs are
now carried on with Spirit.

As I shall return to Brunswick I shall be left alone, I must
therefore entreat you to write to me by every opportunity, and
as I must be informed very minutely of every thing that hap-
pens I shall communicate it to you.
I am with the utmost Regard

Dear Sir
Your most obedient and most
humble Servant
John S' Clair

[Sharpe to Stanwix.]

8"^ of May, 1757
Sir

I am very sorry to inform you that I cannot prevail with the
Assembly of this Province to engage to support Fort Cumber-
land but that on the Contrary they have come to a Resolution
to pay no Captains or Companies that shall be posted there.
By the Bill which they have been framing & which now lies
before me for my Assent I can order Detachments from our
several Companies thither under the Command of Subaltern
Officers to be releived from Fort Frederick every Month but
they will not suffer one of our Officers to have the Chief
Command nor our Troops to be posted there as a Garrison,
apprehending I presume that by agreeing at this time to raise
& support Soldiers for the Defence of that place they should
take a Burthen on themselves which they will be unable after-
wards to get quit of & fearing also lest by an Officer of ours
having the Command of the Fort the Expence of furnishing all
the Indians that may declare in our favour & come thither
with Provisions & other Necessaries should fall on this Province.
I say it might be presumed that such Considerations as these
have determined them to take such a Resolution but whatever
their Reasons are I find they will not recede & therefore I
should be much obliged to you for ordering any Officer who
will command our Subalterns to releive Dagworthy that him-
self & his Company may again be entituled to their Pay &

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 551

Provisions. I shall order him to leave 120 of our Men as Letter Bk.ii

Detachments from his & the other Companies & as soon as

our Troops can be augmented to 500 as proposed, the

Detachments shall if you think proper amount to 250 to be

relieved monthly as I have already intimated. I shall order a

Surgeon to remain at Fort Cumberland & a Person will also

reside there to deliver out Provisions to the Detachments;

if Provisions should be wanted for the Command that you may

order thither M' David Ross who victuals our Troops will if

you please engage to deliver at the Fort any Quantity at as

low a Price as any one can afford. He victuals the Garrison

at Fort Frederick at the Rate of 9' Currency for each Man -p

Day, & has given great Satisfaction, he has the Character of

an honest Man & will I am persuaded punctually comply with

the Forms of any Contract that he shall enter into. 1 learn

from Fort Cumberland that there is a considerable Number of

Catawba & Nottoway Indians at that place who are come from

the Southward to act in Conjunction with the Troops that shall

be employed for the Protection & Defence of these Colonies

& by a Letter which I have received from Fort Frederick I find

that 62 Cherokees are come thither with the same Design.

I have ordered the Express to wait for your answer the Receipt

of which will afford much Satisfaction to S' &c.

[Sharpe to Denny.]

Baltimore 8"^ May 1757
Dear Sir

I should not have so long delayed to make my Acknowl-
edgments for the Civilities I received at your hands while I
was at Phila" If I could have conceived that our Assembly
would let so many Weeks elapse without coming to some
Resolution upon the Matters that at the Opening of the Ses-
sion I recommended to their Consideration. They have at
length with great Reluctance impowered me to augment the
Troops in the pay of this Province to five hundred Men to act
as they express themselves in Conjunction with the Forces
that may be raised in the Neighbouring Colonies or ordered
to these Parts for His Majesty's Service & the Protection of
the Frontier Inhabitants with this Reserve however that none
of our Ofificers shall have the Chief Command at Fort Cum-
berland nor any of the 500 Men placed there as a Standing
Garrison. I have endeavoured to convince them of the Impro-
priety of such a Restraint or Prohibition as Lord Loudoun has
already ordered a Detachment of the Maryland Forces thither
but they are deaf to all the Arguments that I can use in favour

552 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk.iii of the Disposition that was to be made ; They have been told
that your Assembly have refused to make Provision for any
Troops that may be transported thence to Carolina & as they
are unwilling to be thought more tractable than their Neigh-
bours they have assured me that His Ldp's Orders con-
cerning the Disposition of our Troops shews that he is little
acquainted with the situation of Fort Cumberland & the
Frontiers of Maryland & that he cannot reasonably expect or
desire the Inhabitants of this Province to support Men to gar-
rison that place, but being still in hopes that an Expedition will
be undertaken to the Westward they have left it to Colonel
Stanwix or the officer that may be appointed to command on
such an Occasion to draw out of the Province as many of the
500 when raised as I shall agree to part with. Inclosed I send
you a Copy of a Message which was sent to me a few Days
ago by Sixty two Cherokee Indians who were then at Fort
Frederick, you will observe that they desire me to notify
their Arrival to you & they hope I presume that you will give
them an Invitation to Pensilvania. Onmy recommending it to
the Assembly to make some Provision for their Encourage-
ment & Support during their Stay among us, they have desired
me to send them a small present & to have them supplied with
Provisions & such Necessaries as they may stand in need of
but as they have declined appropriating any sum of money to
their use except One hundred pounds for a Present & have on
former occasions convinced me & many others that a Vote of
Credit is not much to be depended on, I am afraid I shall
get no body to victual them & that they will not meet with
such a Reception here as Gov' Dinwiddie has given them
reason to expect.

[Sharp to Dinwiddie.]

May 9"^ 1757 —
Sir

In my Letter of the 5'^ Inst, I told you that the Assembly of
this Province had at length framed a Bill whereby I was
impowered to augment the Troops in the Pay of this Province
to 500 Men but that they were very averse to having any of
them posted at Fort Cumberland, I presume this arises from
an apprehension that if they once undertake to support that
place they shall never afterwards be able to get quit of the
Burthen & from a Suspicion that the Expence of furnishing
the Indians who may declare in our favour & come thither
with Necessaries would fall entirely on this Province was an
officer of ours to have the Chief Command there, but whatever
be their Reasons they have restrained me from posting any of

Correspondence of Governor Sliarpe. 553

the Troops in the pay of this Province as a Standing Garrison Letter Bk.iii
in that Fort & I have been obhged to desire Col? Stanwix to
order a Command to releive Capt Dagworthy as soon as pos-
sible or at least to send some Officer to take the Command
for till he be superceeded no Provisions can be issued by the
Agents for him or his Company. I have endeavoured to con-
vince the Assembly of the Impropriety of such a Prohibition
seeing Lord Loudoun had made the Disposition & had ordered
Dagworthy to take possession of the Fort but they were deaf
to all the Arguments I could use & lest they should appear
more tractable than the Pensilvanians (who have refused I am
told to transport any Men to Carolina) they took the Liberty
to tell me that Lord Loudoun must be little acquainted with
the Situation of Fort Cumberland & the Frontiers of Mary-
land or else he never could expect or desire the Inhabitants of
this Province to support Troops to garrison that Place. They
have however put it in the power of Col° Stanwix to draw as
many of our Men when they are raised out of the Province as
I shall choose to part with or I may order a Detachment from
every Company to do Duty at Fort Cumberland for a Month
& then to be relieved by other Detachments & upon these
Conditions or Considerations I have this Morning assented to
their Bill. I have received a Message from Sixty two Chero-
kees who are come into Fort Frederick wherein they tell me
that they have taken up the Hatchet against the French &
their Indian Allies & that they are come from home by your
Invitation to prosecute the War against them. I shall send
them an Answer with a Present to the Value of ;^ioo which is all
that our Assembly have thought proper to appropriate to their
use. I have also ordered the Commissary at Fort Frederick
to supply them with Provisions during their Stay on our Fron-
tiers. I have this Instant received Advice from Fort Cumber-
land that Part of the Garrison under the Command of a Cap-
tain Lieutenant & Ensign had a Skirmish near that place the
fourth of this Month with a Party of Indians who had killed
three Soldiers that were cutting Wood at a little Distance
from the Fort. After Skirmishing some time our people
being much inferiour in Number to the Enemy retreated to the
Fort with two of the Detachment wounded, the Indians dis-
appeared soon afterwards leaving a Matchcoat & a few Trink-
etts on the Place where the action happened. About half an
hour after Sergeant Fent of the Virginia Regiment & a
Catawba who were both taken Prisoners in November last &
carried to Fort Du Ouesne came into Fort Cumberland. I
presume you will receive an Account of this & a Copy of
Fents Deposition before my Letter can reach you, wherefore I
will no longer detain the Post but conclude with assuring you
that I am &c

554 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk.iii [Sharpe to Hardy.]

Annapolis the 13''' of May 1757.
Sir

At the same time that I do myself the honour to acknowl-
edge the Receipt of your Letters dated the 30''' of April & 2^
Inst. I beg leave to congratulate you on your Receipt of orders
to hoist your Flag & most heartily wish you Success, I also
return you thanks for forwarding the Packett from M' Secre-
tary Pitt & am &c

[Sharpe to Loudoun.]

13'' May 1757—
My Lord

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Ldp's Letters from N York dated the 30"' of April & the 5"'
Inst. I observe what your Lordship says concerning your
Disposition of the Troops as well Regulars as Provincial that
you propose to leave under the Command of Gen' Webb & Col°
Stanwix & shall use my utmost Endeavours to raise the Men
that are expected from this Province. In Obedience to your
Ldp's Commands I have issued a Proclamation requiring all
Officers of the Militia to exercise the Men under their Com-
mand & to see that they provide themselves with Arms &
Ammunition I have also sent more particular Instructions to
the principal Militia Officers in the Frontier Counties as your
Ldp will see by the inclosed Copy. Our Assembly have at
length impowered me to augment the Troops in the Pay of
this Province to 500 Men & I have given Commissions for
that purpose but really I do not think it will be possible to
compleat the two Additional Companies this Summer Men
disposed to enlist are become so exceedingly scarce. It was
not without great difficulty that I prevailed with the Assembly
to come into this Measure & I am sorry to inform your Ldp
that they have now done it with such a Reservation as pre-
vents the Men's being disposed of exactly in the manner that
your Ldp was pleased to propose. Upon my Return from
Phil'' the Virginians being ordered to evacuate Fort Cumber-
land I sent Orders to Capt Dagworthy to march with a
Detachment of the Troops in the pay of this Province to take
possession of that place, but he had scarcely arrived there
before the Assembly gave me to understand that they did by
no means approve of the Orders I had given & that they
would never agree to support a Garrison In that Fort. No
Endeavours of mine were wanting to convince them of the
Impropriety of such a Resolution at this time but I had the

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 555

Mortification to find that no Arguments which I could use Letter Bk.iii
had any weight with them & that they were obstinately bent
on having all the Troops in the Pay of this Province with-
drawn & it was not till the last Day of the Session which was the
9"' Inst that they would agree to issue Pay or Provisions for the
Men that had been sent thither under Dagworthy's Command.
Finding that all our Troops must be disbanded or some Con-
cessions made I have assented to their Bill upon Condition
that as many of the 500 Men as can be spared without leaving
the Frontier Inhabitants quite exposed shall be under the
Command of Col° Stanwix to be disposed of as he shall judge
proper with this Reserve that no Captains nor whole Compa-
nies shall be posted as a fixed Garrison in Fort Cumberland.
This I have already sent Col° Stanwix Advice of & expect in
a Day or two to receive his Answer to my Letter. It gives
me a good deal of Concern to find myself obliged by a Remon-
strance which has been sent me by two of the Circuiting
Judges of this province & was presented to them by the
Grand Jury of one of our Counties ag" the Conduct of Lieut"
Sterling & Ensign Calder of His Majesty's 48"^ & 44"^ Regi-
ments & the Recruiting parties under their Command to men-
tion those Gentlemen to your Ldp. By the Advice of the
Council before whom the Remonstrance & Affidavits con-
cerning the Transactions of this Parties have been laid I send
them all inclosed to your Ldp together with Copies of three
Bills of Indictment that have been found ag" several of the
Soldiers one for attacking in a hostile manner the Crew of a
Vessel that lay in one of our Rivers & the other for outrageous
Assaults on sundry Persons & on the high Sheriff of the
County in his own house. While I was at Phila^ a Petition was
presented to your Ldp by one M' Wethered praying an Allow-
ance for a House of his which had been accidentally burnt by
some Soldiers who were quartered in this Province I take
this opportunity to acquaint your Ldp that agreeable to your
Desire I have prevailed with the Assembly of this Province to
give him the sum of ^^300 which is supposed to be the Value
of the House & what was destroyed —

[Holdernesse to Sharpe.] Original.

Duplicate Whitehall May 20. 1757

Sir

The inclosed Extract of a Letter from Vice Adm' Townshend
to M' Clevland, together with the Affidavits thereunto annexed
will inform you of the pyratical Behaviour of several Privateers
fitted out in North America towards the Spaniards in the

556 Correspondeiice of Governor Sharpe.

West Indies particularly of the Peggy of New York, one
Hadden Master, & of a Privateer from Halifax commanded by
one Snooke.

It was with the greatest Indignation that his Majesty re-
ceived this Account of Proceedings on the Part of his Subjects
not only contrary to all Humanity & good Faith but to the
general Instructions given to Privateers & in direct Breach of
the additional one of the <^^ of Oct' last, with regard to
Spanish Ships ; & the King, being determined that the most
rigorous lustice shall be put in Execution against such noto-
rious Acts of Violence has directed the Governors of New
York, & Nova Scotia to commence Prosecutions against the
Owners, Masters & Securities of the Two Privateers above-
mentioned ; and it is his Majesty's Pleasure in Case either or
Both of them shall put into any Port within your Government
that you do cause them to be detained giving immediate
Notice to the Governor of New York of the Arrival & Deten-
tion of the Peggy Hadden Master; & of that from Halifax
commanded by Snooke to Gov' Lawrence in order that they
may send you such Directions thereupon, as they shall judge
most expedient for the Execution of the Kings Commands
signified to them upon this Occasion

Tho' the additional Instruction abovementioned of the ^'^ of
Oct' last, has been already transmitted to you from the Council
Office, I send you herewith some printed Copies thereof & am
to signify to you his Majesty's Pleasure, that you be particu-
larly careful not only to deliver the same to all persons, who
shall hereafter take out Commissions for Privateers but also
that whenever any Privateers come to the Ports in your Gov-
ernment, You do make Enquiry whether they have already
received the said Instruction ; & in Case you have Reason to
think they have not you will cause a Copy thereof to be deliv-
ered to the Commanders of such Privateers, & at the same
Time acquaint them that the King is determined to require the
most exact Obedience thereto ; & that the severest Prosecu-
tions will be carried on against those who shall in any manner
act contrary to the same, & thereby endanger that Harmony
which his Majesty is so desirous to preserve with the Court of
Spain.

I am

Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
Holdernesse

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 557

[D. Wolstenholme and J. Ridout to Sharpe.] c

To His Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq' Lieutenant Governor
and Commander in Chief of the Province of Maryland.

Sir

Agreeable to the Instructions which We had the Honour to
receive from your Excellency the 1 7"" Instant, We proceeded
the same Day towards Fort Frederick and reached that place
on the ig'*" in the Afternoon, We were met about nine miles
beyond Conegochiege by a party of the Cherokee Indians who
escorted us to the Fort and when We came near the Gate
drew up in a Rank and Saluted us. Wahachey their Chief
then invited us to Smoak a Pipe with him and some of the
Warriors that were in greatest esteem On our Accepting his
Invitation he bad us Welcome and expressed great Satisfaction
at our Arrival, he afterwards enquired how long We had
been on the Road and what the Distance was between Fort
Frederick and the place where the Governor resided. When
we informed them that We had performed the Journey in three
Days they seemed to be surprized that they had not received
an answer to their message sooner and observed that many
Days had elapsed since your Excellency must have received it.
We told them that when they sent their message you happened
to be far from home, and that you had been obliged after your
return home to send to distant Parts of the Province for a
Quantity of Goods to make them a present of, by reason that
a proper assortment was not to be had in Annapolis nor in any
one part of the Province ; with this answer they seemed to be
well satisfied and only asked whether the Goods were yet
collected and brought up. We told them that they may be
expected in a Day or two and that wenever they came We
should immediately advise them thereof. The Chief after-
wards asked some questions about the Treaty which he said
he had heard the Governor of Pensilvania was then holding
with the Shawanesse & Delawares at Lancaster, and expressed
a good deal of Surprize at the Pensilvanians treating as
Friends and making presents to a People with whom they
were at open War, by whom they had been so cruely used, and
against whom the English had been and were still Solliciting
their (the Cherokees) assistance. Finding that what had been
dropt about that Treaty had made an ill Impression on their
Minds We intimated that the affair had been misrepresented
to them, for that none but some of the six nations and of Cer-
tain Tribes of the Shawanese & Delawares who were in
Amity with the English and who disapproved of the others'
Conduct were come to the Treaty of which they had heard.
The Chief soon after ordered some of their young Men to

558 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

bring down the two Indian Prisoners which they had taken and
by way of CompHment obliged them to parade before us and
to sing their Death Songs. The next Day We invited tlie
Chief and the principal Warriors to Dine with us, and after
Dinner the Interpreter Cap" Pearis told them He understood
that their Brother the Governor's present would be up the next
Morning, and that he had made a Considerable addition to it
as a reward for the Services they had done in destroying four
and taking two of the Enemy Prisoners, but that it was
expected that they should deliver up the Prisoners and Scalps
before they received the additional present such being the
Custom here and what was required by the Laws of the Prov-
ince. To this the Chief replyed with some warmth that he
thought it would Suffice to shew his Brother the Governor or
those that he had sent to represent him, the Prisoners and the
scalps of the Enemies that they had destroyed, that it was the
Indians Custom to preserve as Trophies the Hair of the
Enemies that they killed in Batde and to carry them home to
their own People, and in short that if they were not to have
the Goods that had been talked of unless they would purchase
them with their Prisoners or Scalps they would return home
naked as they came thence, and that they would think no more
of going to War if they were not allowed to keep what they
set the highest value on as it procured them most Honour
among their own People. As the Chief (for many of the
others did not) appeared to be much displeased with the pro-
posal that had been made or the Intimation that had been
given him by Cap" Pearis We desired the Interpreter to drop
the affair, but as We were not at liberty to give them a larger
present than could be purchased with ^"loo unless they would
deliver up the Scalps to be Destroyed agreeable to the Direc-
tions of the Act of Assembly and as we understood that so
small a present as_^ioo would not be Acceptable, We desired
IVP Pearis the Interpreter to talk to them severally and to
endeavour by any arguments that he should think fit to urge
to perswade them to give up some of the Scalps that we may
be thereby enabled to make such an Addition to the present
given by the assembly as might make it Acceptable. In the
morning of the 21" Instant He assured us that he had used his
utmost Endeavours to procure us either the Prisoners or some
Scalps but that Wahachey the Chief continued obstinate and
had declared that nothing should tempt him to part with the
Prisoners, but that Yaughtanew the second in reputation and
who was in fact much better affected than the other had
promised him to send the Scalps as a present to your Excel-
lency afterwards tho he could not deliver them up to be
destroyed in such a manner as the Act Directs, lest he should

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 559

be charged by his own People with Selling them. Upon this
assurance We sent to Conegochiege for two hundred pounds
Worth of Goods more, and as soon as they were brought up
We advised the Indians thereof and desired to know if they
would choose to receive them in the afternoon and to hear
your Excellency's answer to the Message which they had sent
you by M' Ross. Our proposal being accepted the Goods as
well those that were purchased with the one hundred pounds
granted by the Assembly as those purchased with the two
hundred pounds (the price of four Scalps) were after Dinner
laid on a Table in two Seperate parcels, and when all the
Indians except a few who were left to guard the Prisoners
were Assembled (Cap" Beall the Commandant of the Fort,
Cap" Armstrong who was come thither from Pensilvania with
a message from Governor Denny to the Cherokees, and sev-
eral other Officers of the Maryland and Pensilvania Troops
being also present) We addressed ourselves to Wahachey the
Chief saying that We were come thither by your order and
" that We were about to deliver your Excellency's answer to
their message which answer Cap" Pearis would interpret to
them " & then We proceeded.

Brother Wahachey of Keeway & Bretheren of the Cherokee
Nation. I have received the Message which you sent by M'
Ross to advise me of your being come to Fort Frederick,
I rejoice at your arrival & bid you welcome by this String of
white Wampum (gave a String) I have heard of your Fame &
your good intentions towards us from your Brother of Virginia
and have for a long dme had a great desire to see you, but it
happens that now you are come I am unable to meet you, this
I am sorry for but I hope you will excuse me since I have sent
M' Wolstenholme and M' Ridout to communicate my Senti-
ments to you. I have appointed them because I know that
they have a particular regard for you, and because I am Con-
fident they will deliver my words faithfully ; They will in my
name and on behalf of the People of Maryland make a league
with you which I hope will last as long as the Sun & Moon
shall endure, to Confirm it I present you this Belt of Wampum,
gave a Belt. Bretheren When M' Ross was with me I gave him
orders to supply you with such Provisions as you should stand
in need of as a farther mark of my Friendship towards you
I have now sent you a present (pointing to that of one hundred
pounds Value) was it in my power I would send you a larger
but as it is not I hope you will not consider the value of the
present so much as the inclinadon of him that sends it.

Bretheren now we have made a League of Friendship and
are known to each other I will speak to you more freely on
the purpose for which you are come. You say that your good

560 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Brother the Governor of Virginia has signified to you that our
Father King George desires you will joyn the English and
declare War against the French and their Indians who without
any just cause or provocation have fallen upon our People and
Scattered their Bones over the Country; you also tell me that
upon our Father's pleasure being made known to you you
have taken up the Hatchet against our Enemies and that you
will hold it fast till you have used it against the French and
the Indians in their Alliance; I am well pleased that you have
already taken such a resolution, I hope you will soon make
our Enemies sensible of it and that you will prosecute the War
Vigorously against them, to make your Hatchet Sharp and to
fasten it in your Hands I present you with this String of black
Wampum, gave a string

You were told you say when you came to Fort Frederick
that you were no longer in Virginia but in another Province,
this was true but I must observe to you that We and the Vir-
ginians are nevertheless one People, The Inhabitants of Caro-
lina, Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, and of all the Provinces
to the Northward are Bretheren, Subjects of the same great
King, and they that are Friends to some of us must be Friends
to all, you are then the Friends of all. Let us become one
People and unite against the French and their Indians our
Enemies, Let our Men go out to War with you. Look
on them as your Bretheren, Teach them to fight after your
manner, and then neither the French nor their Allies will be
able to stand before you. For your Encouragement and as a
reward for those that fight bravely I will give you a present as
large as that which I have now sent you (pointing to the small
parcell) for every two Enemies that you shall take Prisoners &
deliver up to me or that you shall kill and bring me the Scalps
of, or I will give you the value thereof in Money, Let this
sink deep into the minds of your young men & let them
remember my promise in the Day of Battle. I have ordered
Cap" Beall who Commands at Fort Frederick and the Officer
that commands the men at Fort Cumberland to receive and at
all times Treat you and those of your nation that shall join
you as Bretheren and as my best Friends, I have also notified
your Arrival to your Brother the Governor of Pensilvania; in
this I hope I have done according to your desire and that the
words which I have spoken are agreeable to j'ou, to Confirm
the truth of them and to Convince you that they flow from my
Heart I give you this Belt, gave a Belt and the answer in
Writeing.

After a short pause We addressed Ourselves to them again
and spoke to the following purport.

" Bretheren you have heard your Brother the Governors

Correspondence of Governor SItarpe. 561

answer to your Message, you have also seen the present
which he sent you as a mark of his Friendship and to welcome
you to this Province, We are now to Congratulate you in his
name on the Success which you have lately had ag"^' his and
your Enemies. He was exceedingly pleased with the news,
and for the Service you have already done he has ordered us
to give you these Goods; (pointing to the large parcell)
Bretheren now you have found where the Enemy is to be met
with We hope you will not suffer them to escape but on the
Contrary that you will pursue and overtake them and destroy
till none of them remain to inspire you with such a Resolution
your Brother the Governor sends you this String, gave a
String of black Wampum.

After a few Minutes Wahachey rose up and said he had
heard good words & then steping up on one of the Seats that
were round the Table he harangued his People a Consider-
able time, repeating (as we were told by the Interpreter) the
substance of what We had said and Concluding with an
Exhortation to the young Men to look on the English and on
the People of this Province in particular as their Friends and
Bretheren to fight bravely for them against the Enemies that
had attacked them, and to entitle themselves to the present
that had been promised as a reward for their Valour. They
then proceeded to divide the Goods and We retired having
first desired the Commandant of the Fort to order Sentries to
the Door to prevent the Intrusion of any White People.

An Account being brought to the Fort in the Evening that
several Moccoson Tracks had been discovered a few Miles off
on the South side of Potomack River and the Indians being
informed thereof they sent to us early in the Morning of the
22'' Instant saying they were very impatient to pursue the
Indians that had as it was Supposed made the abovementioned
Tracks and that they hoped We would meet them as soon as
possible and hear the reply that they intended to make to their
Brother the Governor. We immediately complied with their
request and as soon as We were seated the Chief expressed
himself in the following Words. " I am now going to reply to
the Governor of Maryland but as I do not understand making
Beads I shall send him nothing but Paper." Brother while I
was coming from home my thoughts were very bad. I was
enraged against the Enemy who have been Murthering my
Bretheren but now I have been out and killed some of them I
am better Satisfied in my mind. My Brother the Governor of
this Province has sent us this Belt, (holding in his Hand the
Belt that was first given him the Day before) to welcome us
hither and to open a Path from my Country, This shall be
done; at present it is only a small Track but I will make it a

562 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

large Path, all my young Men have taken hold of this Belt,
they are determined to make the Path Broad, and will take
care that there be no blood shed upon it; I will keep this Belt
to remind our young Men to Freshen the Track and I will im-
mediately send off to my Nation that they may see these Belts
(holding up all the Belts and Strings that had been given him)
and know how kindly We have been received and treated in
this Province, I will also send them a speech and invite them
hither to go out to War with us and to receive presents as we
have done. These are not only my own Sentiments and my
own Resolutions but all the young Warriors that are with
me agree with me and are come to the same Determination.
This String (holding up the black String that was first given)
my Brother the Governor sent to Sharpen my Hatchet he
may Depend on our doing so therewith, and that We will
always have it Stained with the Blood of the PInemy; the very
sight of this String makes me angry with them, they have
often sent to me calling me their Father but I looked on them
with disdain & as Enemies. My talk with the Governor of
Maryland shall be always Straight, I shall never deal double
with him and I hope his Language to us will be always Straight
and true. (Then holding up the Black String that was last
given he said) I received this yesterday with a speech to invite
me to War, which I receive as if it came from our Father King
George, the Governor our Brother having sent you to deliver
it, and you may be assured that so long as King George will
furnish us with Cloathes, I will continue to Destroy his and
our Enemies. I have been a long here to War & having
killed a few of the Enemy have received a small present, but
when I come this way again with my People I will kill more of
the Enemy and hope to receive a larger Present. I hope our
Father King George will take care to furnish us with Cloaths
and I desire he might be informed of what I have already done
and of what I intend to do. (The young Warrior called
Yaughtanew then put into his Hand the Scalps which he had
promised us & holding them up Wahachey proceeded) "When
I came to Winchester I heard that the Enemy was murthering
People in this Province, the news made my Heart ake and I
immediately pursued and came up with them, I have killed
some of them and to shew the Governor my Brother that I
have destroyed some of his & my Enemies I send him this
Hair for which I expect my Brother will thank me. gave the
Scalps. He then signed the answer as it was taken down &
the Interpreter certified it to be a true Interpretation as your
Excellency will see by the Original herewith presented, after
he had done speaking we thanked him in a few words for the
reply he had made and the Hair which he had given and con-

Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 563

eluded with telling them that you would look on the Latter as
a Testimony of their Bravery and memorial of their Friendship.
As soon as We had finished, Cap" Armstrong and the other
Gentlemen who were sent by Governor Denny to invite the
Cherokees to Pensilvania delivered their Message, and
Yaughtanew the second Warrior gave them a Short Answer,
the Indians soon after took their leave appearing well Satisfied
and went over to Virginia carrying their two Prisoners with
them. We also left the Fort the same Day, and returned
towards Annapolis to Inform your Excellency of our proceed-
ings, and to assure you

That We are
Your Excellencys Most Humble
and Most Obedient Serv"

Dan' Wolstenholme
the 25"' of May 1757 I. Ridout

INDEX TO LETTERS.

Letters to Sharpe.

Baltimore, Frederick, Lord, 127, 206,

358.517-
Belcher, Jonathan, Gov., 126.
Belt, Joseph, 479.
Braddock, Edward, Gen., 210.
Bradstreet, John, 213.
Calvert, Cecilius, 17, 34, 40, 44, 66, 72,

75, 128, 187, 205, 212, 222, 270, 322,

332, 359, 513. 525. 538.
Campbell, H., 32.
Cherokee Indians, 544.
De Lancey, James, Gov., 16, 170.
Denny, William, Gov., 467, 511.
Dinwiddle, Robert, Gov., 4, 9, lo, 33,

39, 42, 43, 51, 75, 76, 95, 125, 143,

154, 225, 286, -357, 394, 444, 477,

480, 508, 537.
Dorsey, William, 378.
Fairfax, Thomas, Lord, 7.
Fox, Henry, 374, 375.
Gardner, Samuel, 461.
Glencairn, William, Lord, 16.
Hall, John, 478.
Hamilton, J., 3.

Hardy, Sir Charles, 344, 436, 546.
Holdernesse, Lord, 3, 555.
Hooper, Henry, 345.
Innes, James, 24S.
Lawrence, Charles, 445.
Loudoun, Earl of, 45S, 462, 501, 518,

526, 531, 532, 545, 546.
Morris, Robert Hunter, 125, 127, 305,

307- 321, 340, 341. 343. 346, 376,

441, 443, 458, 460, 476, 492,. 498.
Orme, Robert, 252.
Peters, Richard, 255.
Peters, William, 459.
Pitt, William, 525.
Ridout, John, 557.
Robinson, Sir Thomas, 107, 271.
St. Clair, Sir John, 157, 158, 169, 188,

393, 487, 544, 550.
Shirley, William, Gov., 11, 169, 180,

288, 291, 306, 330, 347, 386, 392,

413. 447-

Spry, Richard, 298.

Sterling, Robert, 378.

Wolstenholme. Daniel, 557.
Dinwiddle to Shirley, 348.
Innes to Fairfax, 246.
Innes to Dinwiddle, 247.
Shirley to Morris, 231.

Sharpe to

Abercromby, Sir Robert, Maj.-Gen.,
456.

Albemarle, Earl of, 228, 257, 313,406.

Anson, Lord, 120.

Baltimore, Frederick, Lord, 7, 36, 52,
67, 79> 93. 100, 102, 112, 158, 185,
193, 207, 223, 232, 241, 273, 283,
299. 311. 381, 411. 417. 449. 463.
480, 489, 501, 520, 532.

Belcher, Jonathan, Gov., 122.

Belt, Joseph, 474.

Board of Trade, 81, 352, 435, 529.

Braddock, Edward, Gen., 167, 171,
204, 212, 214, 219, 242.

Bury, Lord, 114.

Calvert, Cecilius, i, 5, 8, 12, 15,36, 39,
57. 65, 69, 81, 93, 94, 98, 100, 103,
113, 143, 148, 161, 175, 180, 188,
190, 208, 209, 217, 233, 236, 238,
240, 246, 250, 252, 260, 262, 276,
277, 286, 289, 293, 302, 308, 335,
354. 384. 408, 418, 453, 465, 482,
490, 499. 506, 512, 523, 528, 534.

Dagvvorthy, Eli, 244, 536.

De Lancey, James, Gov., 123, 153.

Denny, William, Gov., 475, 510, 519,
551-

Dinwiddle, Robert, Gov., 136, 148,
150, 167, 172, 205, 215, 226, 239,
244, 251, 265, 270, 278, 282, 304,
333. 340. 350, 377. 386, 414. 431.
468, 475, 488, 494, 508, 518, 519,
548. 552-

Dorsey, William, 378.

Fairfax, Thomas, Lord, 6.

Fitch, Thomas, Governor, 156.

Fox, Henry, 352, 404, 430, 457, 499,
506.

Gardner, Samuel, 473.

Halifax, Earl of, 119, 220.

Hanbury, 120, 314.

Hardy, Sir Charles, 292, 339, 554.

Lawrence, Charles, 471.

Loudoun, Earl of, 432, 473, 497, 509,
527. 542, 554-

Lyttelton, William Henry, Gov., 470.

Morris, Robert Hunter, Gov., 120,
152, 166, 216, 237, 249, 272, 293,
339. 345. 379. 39i. 415. 47i-

Orme, Robert, 243.

Pitt, William, 527.

Pownall, John, 354.

566

Index to Letters.

Prevost, Alexander, 520.

Robinson, Sir Thomas, 104, 119, 164,

195, 234, 256, 264, 291, 337.
Secretary of State, 81.
Sharpe, Dr. Gregory, 301, 395, 530.
Sharpe, John, 109, 197, 211, 221, 235,

239, 267, 288, 300, 309, 311, 387,

424> 433. 446, 485. 495-

Sharpe, William, 109, 173, 246, 259,

267, 282, 300, 309, 535.
Shirley, William, Gov., 124, 273, 292,

337. 342, 351. 380, 389-
Stanwix, John, Col., 543, 550.
Webb, Gen., 444.

INDEX TO NAMES OF PERSONS AND PLACES.

Abercrombie (Abercromby), Sir Robert,
Gen., 370, 375, 391, 447, 453, 456, 457,
465, 472, 493, 531.

Adair, , 120.

Adams, Rev. , 3.

Adirondacks (Aruadacks, Arundacks,
Orundacks; Indians), 33, 141, 146,
154, 164.

Affinity (tract of land), 71.

Albany, 16, 38, 43, 56, 62, 68, 69, 79, 81,
III. 15.1. 154- 216, 245, 247, 280, 281,
282, 289, 290, 291, 308, 309, 310, 311,
312, 313, 314, 318, 319, 324, 332, 333,
358. 377. 397. 430. 437. 443. 447. 448,
465, 480, 483, 487, 493, 494, 52S, 547.

Albemarle, Earl of, 257, 260, 394, 401. '

Alcide (vessel), 247.

Alexander, , 282.

Alexandria (Belhaven), 43, 44, 140, 141,
143. 145. 147. 151. 152, 155. 158, 167,
168, 186, 188, 189, 194, 195, 196, 197,
199, 201, 202, 203, 210, 217, 230, 249,
250, 269, 387.

Alleghany (Alegany) Mountains, i, 76,
77, 96, 200, 273, 279, 285, 286, 340,
358. 394. 490, 496, 502, 510-

Allen, Capt., 158, 217.

All Hallows Parish, 178.

Amboy, 291.

Anderson, , 525.

Andros, Sir Edmund, 27.

Ann Arundel County, 184, 185, 371,522.

Annapolis, 8, 17, 27, 52, 54, 57, Si, 94,
100, 103, 104, 109, 112, 113, 118, 136,
142, 143, 148, 152, 153, 156, 164, 166,
167, 171, 172, 174, 178, 1S6, 188, 189,
196, 201, 202, 209, 221, 222, 230, 233,
277, 278, 296, 309, 313, 331, 335, 343,
345. 354. 356, 364. 365. 397. 418, 445,
455. 463. 487. 509. 519. 523. 527. 534.
535. 537. 542, 544. 548, 557. 563-

Anne, Queen, 24, 40, 45, 85, 131, 177,
300.

Anson, Lord, 120, 541.

Antigua, 529.

Arbuthnot (Arburthnott), Capt., 147,
152, 155, 167.

Armstrong, Col., 490, 492, 498, 559, 563.

Arundel Manor, 163, 209, 294.

Atlantic Ocean, 20, 132, 173.

Aucquick (Aukwick ; place), 126, 127,
128, 340.

Aughquage Indians, 437.
Augusta County, 94, 97, 135, 277, 358,
477. 492, 496.

Bacon, Ensign, 66, 410.
Bahama Islands, 298.

Baker, , 179, 206.

Baltimore County, 13, 71, loi, 218, 467,

473. 479. 482, 484, 501, 504.
Baltimore, Lady, 36.
Baltimore, Lord. See Calvert.
Baltimore sloop, 298.
Baltimore Town, 57, 461, 509, 534.
Barons, Mr., 340, 344.
Bath, 51.

Bavaria, Elector of, 326.
Bay of Fundy, 247.
Beadle, William, 204, 544.
Beadnall, John, 539, 540.
Beall, Alexander, Capt., 543, 559, 560.
Beall, Joshua, Capt., 479, 513, 537.
Belcher (Belchier), Jonathan, Gov., no,

122, 124, 126, 127, 402.
Belem (Portugal), 326.
Belhaven. See Alexandria.

Bell, , 219.

Belt, J., 480.

Bennett, , 131.

Bermuda, 145.

Bethlehem, 446.

Biddeford, 3S6.

Biggs, Capt., 100.

Black Creek, 90.

Blackiston, Nathaniel, Gov., 27.

Bladen, Thomas, Gov., 12, 182, 212.

Bladen, Mrs., 187.

Bladensburg, 186, 192, 256, 267, 479.

Bohemia (Europe). 541.

Bohemia (Maryland), 373.

Bohemia River, 2, 5, 8, 18, 90, 373.

Bordley(Boardly), Stephen, 64, 134, 182,

302, 356, 381, 461, 507. 513. 542.
Boscawen, Admiral, 223, 227, 240, 242,

243, 245, 247, 264, 275, 284, 297, 298,

299.
Boston, II, 159, 169, 245, 247, 281, 284,

291, 298, 344, 380, 389, 392, 518, 522,

527. 528, 536.
Bouquet, Henry, Col., 533, 535, 547.
Braddock, Edward, Gen., 134, 157, 158,

167, 171, 172, 174, 175, 1S6, 189, 190,

193. 194. 195. 196, 202, 203, 204, 205,

568

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

208, 210, 211, 212, 214, 215, 216, 218,
219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226,
227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 234, 237, 239,
241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 249,
251, 252, 256, 259, 260, 261, 263, 264,
265, 266, 267, 268, 271, 272, 273, 274,
275, 281, 283, 284, 293, 310, 315, 316,
317. 323. 338, 348. 349, 361- 362, 363,
366, 367, 368, 374, 375, 396, 397, 424,
438, 549-

Bradstreet, John, Lieut. -Co]., 35, 214,
393-

Brereton, Lieut., 204.

Brerevvood, Charlotte, loi.

Brerewood, Thomas, 71, 93. loi.

Brest, 187, 223, 238, 245, 326, 366.

Brice, Mr., 67, 507.

Bridgewater Manor, 134.

Bristol, 260, 516, 530.

Broad Creek, 18, 20, 90.

Brodie, Count, 2S7.

Brogden, Rev. , 13.

Brooke, Capt., 465, 476.

Brown, Capt., 32, 175, 444.

Brown, Marshal, 541.

Browning, Thomas, 540.

Brunswick, 550.

Buchanan, John, 506.

Buffalo River, 105, 119, 122, 126, 503.

Burnet's Field, 493.

Burney, Mr., 141, 145.

Burton, Col., 253, 26S, 287.

Butler, Peter, Capt., 474.

Byng, Admiral, 495, 525.

Byrd (Bird), Col., 519.

Cacapetion, 410.

Calder, Ensign, 555.

Calvert, Cecilius, 2d Lord Baltimore, 32.

Calvert, Cecilius (Secretary), 42, 50, 57,
65, 66, 67, 69, 73, 74, 76, 82, 93, 94, 98,
100, loi, 106, 113, 127, 136, 143, 148,
161, 175, 178, 180, 187, 193, 199, 205,
206, 207, 212, 213, 223, 270, 284, 285,
294. 299, 300, 301, 328, 329, 333, 373,
381, 382, 395, 399, 400, 401, 411, 417,
428, 434, 445, 447, 450, 451, 452, 457,
463, 464, 496, 509, 522, 524, 528, 530,
532.

Calvert, Charles, 5th Lord Baltimore, 3,
37, 87, 88, 91.

Calvert, Frederick, 6th Lord Baltimore,
7, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28,
30, 36, 79, 81, 158, 185, 207, 373.

Calvert, Philip, 13.

Calvert, , 8, 36, 37, 39, 66, 67, loo,

loi- 357-

Calvert County, 42, 75, 209, 237, 23S,
354, 371, 382, 524.

Cambridge University, 34.

Campbell, H., 32.

Campbell, Mr., 153, 520.

Canada, 105, 114, 118, 123, 154, 164, 171,

213, 214, 222, 225, 226, 231, 235, 255,

258, 259, 281, 283, 288, 289, 318, 319,

360, 377, 425, 536.
Canaghquayeson (Indian), 437.
Canuaga Indians, 141, 153, 154, 159, 164.
Cape Breton, 124, 170, 243, 245.
Cape Capon (Cacapon ?), 391.
Cape Cornelius, i.

Cape Henlopen (Hinlopen), I, 19, 20, 23.
Cape Henry, 509.
Cape Sable, 247.
Carlisle (Pa.), 498.
Carlyle (Carlile), Major, 125, 139, 144,

145, ISO, 200, 215, 334, 433.
Carolina, 62, 80, 135, 202, 229, 290, 334,

350, 406, 410, 432, 521, 552, 553, 560.
Carrol, Capt., 262.
Carter, Secretary, 138, 144.
Carthagena, 230, 235, 407, 425.
Castleton, Capt., 82.
Castres, Abraham, 326.
Cataracui (Cataraque), Fort, 213, 214,

255, 283, 297, 312, 313, 314, 318, 319,

320, 333- 337-
Cataracui Harbor, 336.
Catawba Indians, 40, 141, 142, 145, 146,

334, 33S, 339, 341, 344, 346. 350, 357.

358, 381, 395, 444, 521, 549, 551, 553-
Cecil County, 13, 19, 179, 206, 452, 521,

523-
Centurion (man-of-war), 298.

Chace, Rev. , 13.

Chamberlaine (Chamberlayne), , 34,

59, 71, 130, 184.

Chamier, , 148, 217.

Charles County, 371, 505, 508, 539.

Charles II, 14.

Charles Town, 509, 521.

Chaudiere River, 319, 320.

Cherokees, 40, 142, 146, 334, 338, 339,

341, 344, 346, 350, 357, 358, 381, 389,

390, 395, 406, 410, 415, 444, 488, 495,

507, 549, 551. 552, 553, 557, 559, 563-
Chesapeake (Cheseapeak, Chesopeak)

Bay, I, 5, 6, 17, 19, 20, 21, 63, 89, 90,

251- 509-
Chester (Penna.), 15.
Chester Bridge, 90.
Chester River, 8, 18, 90.
Chester Town, 509, 521.
Chew, Capt., 8, 30.
Chew, Samuel, 30.
Chicasaw Indians, 142, 438.
Chippoway Indians, 33.
Choptank, 90.

hidex to Names of Persons and Places.

569

Choptank Bay, 20, 21.

Choptank Bridge, 90.

Choptank Indians, 132, 134.

Choptank River, 63, 70, 91, 132.

Christ Church (Queen Anne Co.), 135,
138.

Christie, Mr., 114.

Christine Creek, 90.

Clagett, Rev. , 505, 508.

Clapham, Col., 439, 441, 442, 488.

Clark, Capt., 142, 147, 151, 512, 516.

Clarkson, Capt., 113.

Clause, Mr., 343.

Cleveland, , (Secretary), 93, 555.

Collington (England), 517.

Conegocheek (Conegogeek, Conego-
cheige, Conegochiegh, Conegogee),
140, 145, 150, 205, 238, 239, 262, 265,
287, 297, 386, 391, 405, 409, 411, 414,
466, 467, 471, 474, 475, 482, 484, 490,
492, 494, 557, 559-

Connecticut, 332, 392.

Contreccsur, Commandant, 197.

Cook, Parson, 38.

Coolidge, Judson, Capt., 143, 187, 217,
453, 525, 539-

Copley, Sir Lionel, Gov., 26, 27.

Copp, Rev. , 94, 135.

Cork, 157.

Cornwallis, Col., 358.

Cotterel, , 176.

Courtenay, Charles, 168.

Coutts, , 487.

Coventry Parish (Somerset Co.), 69.

Cox, Rev. , 15, 54, 141, 145.

Coxen, Capt., 57, 65, 73, 76.

Crabb, , 191.

Craddock, Rev. , 13.

Craven, Charles, Maj.,315.

Creagh, Capt., 94, 98.

Creek Indians, 142.

Cresap (Cressap, Cresape, Cressop),
Thomas, 2, 5, 14, 19, 49, 63, 70, 72,
91, 95, 130, 140, 145, 149, 191, 192,
200, 201, 204, 213, 232, 234, 277, 287,
410,412, 503.

Croghan, George, 126, 127, 153.

Crowe, , 34.

Crown Point. See Niagara.

Cumberland County (Penna.), 460, 469,
472, 481.

Cumberland, Duke of, 458, 541.

Dagworthy, Eli, 95, 214, 243, 265, 273,
274, 290,. 292, 297, 334, 336, 338, 347,
348, 349, 368, 380, 389, 410, 412, 414,
448, 458, 471, 472, 501, 503, 542, 543,
548. 549, 550, 553. 554, 555-

Daker, George, 5, 90.

Dallam, , 71.

Darnell, Mr. (Atty. Genl.), 71, 72, 134,
178, 182, 207, 240, 296, 302, 303, 329,
335, 355. 356, 3S1, 382, 454- '

Darnall's Camp, 71.

Darnall's Silvania, 71.

Dean, Rev. , 13.

De Lancey, James, Gov., 16, 51, 123,
147, 151, 153, 166, 170, 194, 203, 214,
282, 310.

Delaware, 15, 49, 295.

Delaware Bay, 20, 2i, 22, 23, 129.

Delaware Indians, 146, 331, 334, 337,
343, 344, 377, 436, 438, 439, 441, 442,
459, 460, 472, 490, 502, 511, 512, 557.

Delaware River, 53, 58, 307, 340, 341,
377-

Demster, •, 13.

Denny, William, Gov., 458, 468, 481,
483, 485, 492, 495, 498, 504, 507, 512,
513, 528, 529, 533, 534, 535, 536, 542,
559. 563-

Detroit, 318.

Diahogo (Tiahoga) (place), 438, 446.

Dick, Charles, 143, 144, 172.

Dieskau (Dirskau), Baron, 314, 323.

Diggs (Digges), , 31, 53, 54, 59, 129.

Dill, Rev. , 9.

Dingle (Dingley), Rev. , 3, 15, 60.

Dinwiddle (Denwiddie), Robert, Gov.,
5, 9, n, 14, 34, 37, 40, 43, 44, 52, 57,
70, 75. 77. 80, 81, 88, 95, 98, 99, 103,
104, 106, 109, no. III, 114, 115, 116,
118, 119, 125, 130, 136, 141, 147, 148,
154, 156, 160, 164, 166, 167, 171, 172,
173, 186, 189, 190, 194, 196, 197, 199,
200, 201, 202, 205, 216, 221, 224, 226,
228, 230, 232, 237, 240, 242, 248, 251,
255, 269, 272, 273, 281, 286, 287, 288,
289, 290, 293, 324, 336, 338, 339, ■341,
347, 351. 352, 358, 379, 381, 383, 388,
395. 396, 397. 398, 402, 406, 410, 415,
417, 424, 432, 433, 440, 443, 444, 447,
451, 476, 478, 480, 496, 509, 522, 524,
528, 530, 533, 534, 535, 543, 545, 552,
560.

Dobbs, Arthur, Gov., 86, 103, 104, 105,
109, 118, 195, 200, 350, 417, 423, 429,
431, 432, 528,-530, 533, 534, 535, 560.

Dobson, Capt., 252, 268.

Dorchester (Dorset) County , 9, 54, 55, 7 1 .

Dorsey, William, 378, 379.

Douglass, William, 543.

Dulany (Delany), Daniel, 15, 30, 38, 41,
50, 51, 55, 61, 66, 67, 91, 129, 130, 177,
181, 184, 208, 219, 296, 297, 330, 356,
357. 372, 450. 454. 514-

Dulany, Dennis, 30.

Dulany, Walter, 357, 514.

57°

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

Dumas, Commandant, 405.

Dumfries, 186.

Dunbar, Col. Thomas, 107, 194, 203, 205,
208, 230, 249, 250, 251, 253, 254, 256,
257, 258, 259, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265,
266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274,
275, 276, 278, 279, 281, 282, 284, 285,
286, 287, 289, 290, 291, 293, 315, 324,
367. 388, 395, 396, 432. 433-

Dyer, Capt., 512.

Easton (Penna.), 459, 51 t.

Edinburgh, 32.

Effingham, Francis, Lord, 32.

Egerton Manor, 134.

Elizabeth Town, 127.

Elk River, 5, 18, 89, 90, 91.

Ellison, Col., 324.

Emory (Emery), , 2, 5, 18, 19, 20,

63, 89, 277.

England, 5, 9, 10, 45, 47, 52, 64, 82, 83,
84, 98, 105, 114, 127, 128, 131, 135,
143. 154- 156, 157. 159. 160, 162, 164,
167, 182, 190, 201, 202, 210, 214, 227,
228, 237, 246, 252, 254, 258, 259, 264,
272, 273, 293, 295, 297, 299, 300, 344,
347. 391. 395. 396, 397. 40i, 415. 4i6,
418, 424, 427, 429, 448, 449, 458, 520,
526, 528, 530, 534, 535, 542, 544, 549.

Etherington, Capt., 36.

Evans, , 14, 49, 58, 59, 86, 87, 129,

277.

Evans' Creek, 90.

Eversfield, Rev. , 236.

Fabres, , 168.

Fairfax, Thomas, Lord, i, 2, 5, 7, 14, 18,
19, 49, 251, 373, 451, 452.

Falmouth, 345.

Fannin, Capt., i.

Fent, Sergeant, 553.

Fenwick's Island, 2, 19, 20, 132.

Ferrol, Kennedy, 220.

Fitch, Thomas, Gov., 156, 315.

Fitzhugh, Capt., 165.

Five Nations, 438.

Floyer, Capt., 226.

Fogena (vessel), 247.

Fort Beau S6jour, 247.

Fort Cataracui, 171, 172, 297, 313, 314,
318, 319, 320, 333, 337. See also
Cataracui.

Fort Cumberland, 210, 212, 215, 218,
222, 223, 224, 225, 227, 228, 230, 232,
233. 234, 235, 237, 241, 243, 244, 245,
246, 247, 251, 254, 256, 257, 259, 260,
261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268,
269, 271, 272, 273, 274, 276, 278, 279,
282, 284, 2S5, 286, 287, 290, 291, 292,

293, 297, 305, 336, 338, 347, 348, 349,
350, 353. 364. 366, 367, 368, 380, 38r

388, 390, 393. 396, 397. 400, 403, 404
405, 410, 411, 414, 416, 423, 424, 430;
431. 432, 435. 436, 456, 466, 468, 477^
488, 503, 504, 507, 50S, 510, 511, 512;
518, 521, 533, 535, 536, 537, 539, 542;
543. 545. 548, 549. 55©, 55 1. 552, 553^
554. 555. 560.

Fort Dmwiddie, 492, 496.

Fort Du Quesne (Dequisne, Du Gurne),
78, 105, III, 141, 151, 168, 203, 210,
215, 216, 220, 221, 224, 230, 232, 233,
235, 242, 246, 255, 256, 258, 260, 264^
266, 267, 270, 272, 275, 278, 284, 287,
293, 297, 299, 316, 318, 320, 323, 332;
334. 337. 338, 350, 352, 379. 385. 388

389. 390, 391. 395. 396, 397, 403, 405:
407, 408, 412, 427, 432, 440, 444, 477,
490, 502, 503, 508, 510, 511, 521, 553.

Fort Edward, 393, 501.

Fort Frederick, 463, 464, 465, 466, 468,
469, 471, 473, 474, 475, 481, 482, 483,
485, 488, 489, 491, 494, 495, 498, 499,
500, 501, 503, 505, 514, 515, 524, 533,
535. 537. 538. 543. 548, 550, 551, 552,
553- 557. 559, 560.

Fort Frontenac, 318, 320.

Fort George, 344, 436.

Fort Granville, 340, 460, 464, 466, 468,
469, 470, 471, 477, 485, 502, 515.

Fort Johnson, 436.

Fort La Galette, 318.

Fort Lyttelton, 340, 460, 469, 471.

Fort Oswego, 146, 172.

Fort Shirley, 340, 460, 469, 471.

Fort Sir Frederick, 231, 258.

Fort St. Victor, 293.

Fort William Henry, 393, 487, 548.

Fougueux (vessel), 298.

Fox, Henry, 324, 340, 375, 376,413,445,
448, 456, 458, 459, 516, 541.

France, 10, 67, 187, 227, 255, 342.

Francis (vessel), 12.

Franklin, Mr., 528, 532.

Frederick H (of Prussia), 373, 495, 541

Frederick (town), 7, 170, 186, 188, 189;
192, 193, 194, 196, 203, 205, 207, 208;
211, 220, 227, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245,
249, 261, 262, 271, 276, 367, 387, 409,
472, 474, 483, 521.

Frederick County, 52, 57, 71, 95, 129,
186, 191, 208, 218, 232, 238, 241, 274
313. 335, 336, 364. 365, 367, 368, 387
409, 474, 475.

Fredericksburg, 147, 151, 155, 168, 169
172, 186, 537.

Frontenac, 407, 412.

Fry, Col. Joshua, 197, 198.

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

571

Gage, Lieut.-Col., 268, 281, 396.

Gale, , 34, 130.

Gallaway, , 100, 217.

Gardner, Samuel, 461, 462, 473.

Garland man-of-war, 103, 298, 386.

Garnet, Capt., 262.

Gates, Capt., 519.

George's Creek, 215, 218, 222, 224.

George I, 44, 45.

George II, 74.

George III, 4, 545, 560, 562.

Georgetown (Kent Co.), 509. 52 '•

Georgia, 459.

Germany, 227.

Gibraltar, 516.

Gibson, John, 219.

Gist, Christopher, 139, 140, 144, 145, 160,

226.
Gist (Guust) Plantation, 253.
Glen, James, Gov., 43, 51, 146, 195, 350,

415-
Glencairn, William, Lord, 17, 32.
Goldsborough, Charles, 15, 181, 356, 357,

372, 454-
Goldsborough, William, 50, 55, 61, 177,
181, 184, 335, 382, 450, 499, 505, 523,

524-
Gordon, George, Lieut., 9, 233, 352, 387,

394-
Gordon, Mr., 266.
Gower, Earl, 541.
Graham (Grayham, Gratham), Charles,

51, 64, 73, 75, 76, 100, 207, 209, 226,

238, 277.
Graham, David, 75.
Graham, Lady Margaret, 17.
Graham, Miss, 524.
Graham (Grayham), Mrs., 73, 76, 100,

184, 207, 209, 238, 354.
Gravesend, 155.
Gray, Lieut., 287, 304.
Green Brier River, 94, 135, 273.
Greenbury, CoL, 27.
Greenville (Grenville), George, 324, 541.
Gulf of Mexico, 124.
Gulf of St. Lawrence, 247.
Gunpowder, Falls of, 71.

Hadden, , 556.

Hague, The, 541.

Halifax, 247, 298, 299, 340, 471, 556.

Halifax, Earl of, 119, 130, 369, 442, 458,

459-
Halkett, Sir Peter, 107, 194, 203, 205,

208, 230, 251, 253, 256, 260, 281.
Hall, John, 479.
Hamersley, Hugh, 325, 516.
Hamilton, Capt., 289.
Hamilton, James, Gov., 3, 10, 64.

Hammond, Philip, 40, 184, 296, 303, 491.

Hampton, 377, 391.

Hanbury, Messrs., 15, 67, 120, 131, 184,

185, 240, 401.
Hanover (Electorate), 373.
Hardy, Sir Charles, 291, 304, 310, 313,

314, 315, 344, 346, 440, 441, 443, 458,

546.

Harris (Harriss), Rev. ■ , 3, 6, 15, 30.

Harrison, , 185, 302.

Hartford, 392.

Hawke, Admiral, 227, 238.

Hawley, , 437.

Henlopen (Hinlopen), Cape, i, 19, 20,

23-

Henley, Sir Robert, 539, 541.

Henry, Robert Jenkins, 178, 184, 296,

325. 329. 335. 382.

Hervey, , 326.

Hesse Cassel, Landgrave of, 326.

Hessian troops, 325, 326.

Hide, John, 71, 233, 239, 484.

Hide, Mrs., 185.

Hispaniola, 537.

Holburne, Admiral, 525, 526, 538.

Holdernesse, Earl of, 4, lo, 1 1, 12, :6, 40,

42, 50, 62, 81, 82, 107.
Holmes, Commodore, 484.
Hooper, Henry, 346.

Hopkins, , 214, 244.

Hopper, , 180.

Hotchkiss, , 15.

Houlston River, 277.
Hudson River, 106.

Hunter, , 167, 225.

Hyde, , 514.

Indian River, 20, 21, 63, 90.

Innes, James, 76, 97, 125, 139, 141, 142,
146, 150, 153, 198, 208, 210, 230, 232,
234, 238, 244, 245, 246, 248, 250, 251,
252, 271, 272, 273, 274, 276, 279, 284,
290, 348, 349, 364, 368, 393, 397.

Ireland, 155, 186, 187, 202, 227, 230, 238,
243, 246, 415, 424, 516, 538.

Iroquois River, 318.

Jamaica, 298.
James Island, 19, 26.
Janicata, 515.

Jaques (Jacques), , 40, 82.

Jarret, James, 71.

Jennings, Edmund, 2, 4, 5, 19, 31, 35, 64,
66, 67, 178, 183, 184, 212, 277, 296, 400.
Jenundactees, 438.
John and Ann (vessel), 539.
Johnson (alias Marshall), 518.
Johnson, James, 140, 145.
Johnson, John, 539.

572

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

Johnson, Sir William, 213, 222, 225, 231,
258, 263, 269, 275, 284, 286, 287, 288,
297. 299. 300. 301, 304. 308, 309, 310,
312, 345, 370, 386, 397, 407, 436, 437,
438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 472, 501,
502, 503, 504, 507, 510, 511, 512, 525,
538.

Jones, , 18, 19, 247, 451, 452, 454,

. 455- .,
Jones, David, 540.
Jones, Hugh, 373.
Joppa, 461.

Jumonville, de. Ensign, 78, 115, 116, 198.
Juniata (Janicata) River, 153, 194, 340,
460, 464, 466, 469, 470.

Kaurzim, 541.

Keeway, 559.

Kensington, 51, 413, 499.

Kent County, 30, 184, 355, 382, 494, 509,

521, 523-
Kent Island Church, 60.
Keppel (Keple, Kepple), Commodore,

146, 189, 194, 202, 230, 275.
Key (Keys), Philip, 71, 130, 178, 184,

302, 325.
Kilmarnock, 17.
Kinneer, James, Maj., 315.
Kishignokilis Creek, 340.
Kittannin, 511.
Kittectiny Hills, 341.
Kittsmiller, , 13, 53, 59, 129.

Lady Baltimore's Manor, 178.

Lake Champlain, 317, 319, 416.

Lake Erie, 33, 105, iii, 117, 171, 197,
203, 283, 318.

Lake George, 308, 310, 312, 314, 323,
438,470,481,494, 504.

Lake Huron, 318.

Lake Ontario, 106, 171, 172, 222, 225,
242, 258, 259, 264, 283, 286, 300, 301,
304, 308, 309, 312, 313, 314, 316, 317,
318, 320, 333, 336, 337, 407, 416, 417,
475, 476, 478, 480, 483, 486.

Lake Sacrement, 288, 289, 297, 299.

Lame Sam (Indian), 345.

Lancaster, 150, 557.

Lawrence, Charles, 446.

Lawrence, Sir Thomas, 27, 556.

Leblanc, Simon, 343, 345, 347.

Lee, Capt., 408.

Lee, Col., 508.

Lee, Dr., 514.

Legge, Bilson, 324, 541.

Leitmeritz, 541.

Lewis, , 142, 152, 390, 448, 507.

Licking Creek, 466.

Lisbon, 323, 326, 327, 377, 530.

Litchfield (vessel), 298.

Lloyd, David, 13, 14, 37, 58, 59, 64, 65,
71. 93. 177, 179- 181. 182, 184, 192,
217, 223, 294, 295,- 296, 324, 325, 328,
335. 355. 356. 357. 371. 372, 382, 408,
409, 420, 449, 450, 451, 453, 454, 463,
465, 490, 514, 516, 517, 522, 524, 525,
538.

Lloyd, Richard, 49, 51, 129, 132, 167,
181, 187, 206.

Logan, James, 62, 130.

London, 32, 35, 51, 66, 72, 74, 75, 76,
154, 189, 217, 227, 238, 300, 302, 335,
354. 358. 377. 444. 448, 484, 490, 506.

London, Bishop of, 129.

Lord Baltimore's Gift (manor), loi.

Loudoun (Louden, Lowden, Lowdon),
Earl, 358, 370, 374, 375, 376, 394, 401,
406, 410, 416, 431, 440, 442, 443, 444,
445. 447. 448. 453. 456. 457. 458. 459,
463, 464, 465, 469, 470, 472, 475, 476,
477, 478, 480, 481, 483, 485, 486, 487,
488, 489, 490, 491, 493, 495, 496, 501,
504, 505, 507, 512, 513, 515, 517, 519.
521, 522, 523, 524, 527, 528, 529, 530,
531. 533. 534. 535. 536. 537, 542, 543,
549. 551. 553-

Louisbourg (Lewisburgh), 231, 240, 242,
243, 245, 246, 247, 264, 270, 284, 298,
299, 366, 484.

Louisiana, 105, 118.

Lovelace, Francis, Gov., 32, 43, 70, 79,
146.

Lowndes, , 204.

Ludwell, Col., 394, 432, 447, 468, 469,

477-

Lunen, , 391.

Lyttelton, Sir George, Gov., 324, 369,

570.

McClean, , 393.

McDowell's Mill, 460, 46^
McGahen, Capt., 175, 418.

McGuill, Rev. , 13.

McKee, , 437.

McKellar, , 266, 393.

Mackmanus, Rachel, 540.

Mackoy, Capt., 198.

McLoghlin, James, 494.

McPherson (McFarson, McFearson),

Rev. , 15, 50, 237, 505, 508, 539.

Mad Creek, 142, 146.
Madeira, 530.
Mahoney (place), 307.

Makay, , 393.

Malcolm, Rev. , 9, 31, 54, 55, 60.

Marcus Hook, 501, 507.
Marlbro', 186, 249, 509.
Marshall, , 544.

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

573

Massey, Samuel, 213.

Maryland Company, 208, 210, 214, 229,

230, 243, 245, 262, 274, 334, 412.
Massachusetts Bay, 16, 109, 170, 270,

332, 386, 393, 397, 458.
Matchitango River, 340.
Meadows, Great, 116, 139, 144, 168, 249,

250, 276, 284, 286.
Meadows, Little, 227, 248, 249, 250, 253,

256, 261.
Mercer (Mercier), Lieut.-Col., 308, 309,

312, 333. 391.410.
Mermaid (vessel), 298.
Merry, Capt., 384.

Meyer, Rev. , 34, 54, 55, 60, 374.

Meyers, , 455.

Middle Temple, 127.

Mingoes, 502.

Misilimakinak, 318.

Mississippi River, 94, 117, 316, 317, 318,
395. 537-

Mitchell, John, 71, 282, 287, 304.

Mohawk castles, 343, 437.

Mohawk Indians, 231, 436, 439.

Mohawk (Mohock) River, 106, 255, 314.

Moldau, 541.

Molly (vessel), 65.

Moncatoocha (alias Scarroyady, Indian
chief), 146, 166, 234, 238, 343, 442.

Monkton (Monckton), Col., 258, 340.

Monocacy (Monoccasy, Monoceasy)
River, 186, 194, 481, 483.

Monongahela, Battle of, 274.

Monongahela, Forks of, 43.

Monongahela River, 80, 87, 94, 97, 105,
109, III, 117, 118, 135, 152, 154, 168,
173, 197, 228, 252, 253, 256, 260, 262,
271, 273, 275, 299, 334, 337, 353, 367,
408, 502.

Montgomery, Col., 279, 287, 290, 293,
304, 335-

Montour, Andrew, 139, 144, 151
343-

Montreal, 117, 214, 318.

Morris, Capt., 253, 254, 268.

Morris, Robert Hunter, Gov., 112,
118, 126, 128, 148, 151, 159, 163,
167, 175, 189, 194, 195, 203, 205,
218, 221, 223, 225, 232, 239, 240, 245,
267, 271, 274, 276, 281, 284, 285, 289,
291, 304. 305. 306, 307, 308, 309, 310,

313. 314. 315. 321, 334. 340. 342. 343.
347. 348, 350. 368, 377, 378. 383. 397.
399. 416, 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 442,
443. 446. 458. 460, 468, 469, 476, 477,
485, 494, 498.

Mount Johnson, 345.
Moysten, AdmL, 238.
Munier, Joseph, 343, 345, 347.
Murray, , 131, 223.

226,

215.

Nanticoke Indians, 132, 133.

Nanticoke (Nanticok) River, 20, 63, 90,
91. 132. 177-

Neal, Rev. , 501, 502.

Nescopeeken (place), 342.

New Castle Circle, 3, 6, 17, 18, 19, 20,
21, 23, 63.

New Castle County, 18.

New Castle Town, i, 5, 6, 17, 18, 19, 20,
21, 23, 32, 62, 63, 70, 89, 90, 91, 130,
159. 379. 476, 509-

Newcastle, Duke of, 42, 51, 541.

New England, 22, 23, 43, 155, 196, 231,
247, 284, 286, 296, 316, 397, 402, 407,
416, 441, 443, 484, 493, 518, 524, 526.

New Hampshire, 16, no, 323, 332.

Newhouse, Cornelius, 204.

New Jersey, 16, no, 162, 216, 218, 224,
226, 282, 291, 292, 300, 332, 402, 416,
439, 440. 498.

New Jersey Regiment, 310, 397, 402.

New Orleans, 117, 123, 395.

New River, 273, 277.

New York, 9, 11, 14, 16, 44, 53, 58, 62,
77, 80, 86, 87, 98, 104, 106, 115, 128,
129, 146, 153, 163, 168, 197, 214, 216,
218, 222, 224, 231, 246, 247, 258, 259,
270, 273, 276, 279, 281, 282, 283, 290,
291, 298, 304, 305, 306, 307, 332, 333,
337. 339. 340, 342, 343. 345. 347. 35i.
358, 378, 380, 381, 385, 388, 389, 392,
394, 395, 397, 400, 402, 404, 406, 415,
416, 417, 423, 425, 430, 431, 432, 435,
443. 444. 482, 486, 487. 489. 493. 494.
498, 501, 515, 524, 527, 528, 530, 548,
549. 554, 556.

New York City, 170, 457, 458, 480, 481,
487.

New York Companies, 533, 536.

Niagara and Crown Point, 171, 172, 216,
218, 224, 226, 231, 255, 258, 264, 269,
275, 283, 284, 286, 237, 288, 293, 299,
312, 313, 314, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320,
323. 324. 333. 337. 339. 358, 384, 386,
397. 402, 407. 412, 437. 464. 465. 470,
478, 481, 484, 504, 507, 515.

Nicholas I (of Paraguay ), 327.

Nichols, , 180.

Nicholson, Francis, 27, 542.

Nightingale (vessel), 298.

Norris, , 14, 528.

North America, 108.

North Carolina, 42, 77, 96, 98, 103, no,
115, 155, 198, 200, 230, 265, 298, 321,
322, 417, 423, 431, 435, 459, 486, 533,

535. 547.
North Carolina Company, 208, 268, 274,

279, 390, 391.
North Mountain, 368, 415, 418, 423, 424,

431, 444, 466, 469,475.

574

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

Norwich (vessel), 298.

Nottoway Indians, 549, 551.

Nova Scotia, 207, 20S, 212, 226, 246, 247,

251, 258, 263, 264, 270, 275, 397, 407,

471, 497, 500, 556.
Nova Scotia Regiments, 467, 472.
Nowell (Noel), Capt., 499, 506.

Ofarrell, , 529.

Ogle, Maj., 479.

Ogle, Samuel, Gov., 13, 15, 179, 205, 277,
421.

Ohio Company, 97, 198.

Ohio Fort (Fort Du Quesne), 112.

Ohio Indians, 427.

Ohio River, 9, 10, 16, 33, 40, 42, 43, 51,
62, 70, 79, 87, 94, 105, III, 113, 114,
115, 116, 117, 118, 125, 126, 127, 134,
135, 141, 146, 154, 159, 164, 166, 168,
171, 172, 194, 196, 197, 198, 203, 213,
214, 215, 218, 222, 225, 231, 237, 239,
255. 258, 259, 264, 280, 281, 283, 284,
316, 317, 318, 319, 322, 334, 337, 358,
385- 388, 390, 394- 406, 407, 416, 417,
438, 440, 442, 446, 466, 477, 478, 482,

490, 502, 503,510.
Old Belt (Indian), 438.
Onbatch (place), 444.
Oneida Lake, 314, 437, 493.
Onondago (Onendago), 128, 146, 255,

317- 343. 346, 436, 438, 439. 440. 441-

Onondagas, 439.

Onslow, Arthur, 20.

Oporto, 324.

Orme, Robert, Capt., 204, 205, 213, 214,
254, 256, 257, 260, 261, 268, 396.

Orrick, Capt., 462.

Oswegatie River, 318.

Oswego, 16, 124, 146, 154, 172, 214, 215
218, 222, 225, 242, 245, 247, 258, 275
282, 283, 285, 287, 288, 289, 290, 308
309, 310, 312, 313, 314, 317, 318, 319
320, 324, 333, 344, 346, 358, 386, 393
402, 407, 410, 412, 437, 438, 462, 465
475, 478, 480, 481, 482, 486, 488, 489

491. 492, 493. 495. 496, 505, 506, 515
539-

Otsiningo (place), 438.
Ottoways, 33, 141, 159, 164.
Oxford, 59, 184, 236, 509.

Palmer, , 498.

Paraguay, 327.

Paris, 326, 327.

Parker, Joseph, 15, 455, 465, 484.

Patapsco River, 8, 539.

Pattison Creek, 290.

Patton, Col., 277.

Patu.^ent (Potuxent) River, 134, 178,

179, 182, 190, 207, 238, 240, 296, 302,
356, 382, 383, 538, 539.

Pearis, Capt., 558, 559.

Peggy (privateer), 556.

Pelham, Chancellor, 41.

Pendigrass, Gerrard, 153.

Penn, John and Richard, i, 3, 5, 15, 18,
20, 21, 23, 24, 35, 49, 50, 63, 87, 88,
91, 130, 132, 325, 428, 458, 471, 516,
542.

Penn, Thomas, 31, 34.

Penn, William, 14.

Pennsbury (manor), 377.

Pennsylvania, i, 6, 10, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22,
23. 24, 35. 37. 44. 46, 49. 54. 59. 87,
88, 89, 90, 91, 94, 114, 122, 124, 129,
131, 144, 146, 150, 154, 175, 177, 187,
189, 194, 202, 203, 207, 208, 210, 216,
218, 223, 225, 258, 261, 266, 267, 269,
270, 276, 281, 288, 289, 290, 295, 309,
310, 315, 321, 327, 330, 332, 337, 343,
344. 370, 373. 391. 396, 410, 416, 418,
420, 423, 427, 430, 435, 455, 457, 464,
466, 467, 469, 470, 471, 472, 477, 481,
483, 485, 490, 494, 497, 498, 502, 504,
510, 515, 519, 533, 535, 537, 540, 545,
547. 552. 559. 560, 563-

Pennsylvania Rangers, 488.

Pepperell, Sir William, 107, 108, 155,
159, 189, 216, 217, 218, 222, 224, 226,
227, 231, 247, 258, 308, 309, 312, 314,
316, 333. 437. 529-

Peters, Richard, 255.

Peters, William, 460.

Philadelphia, i, 2, 14, 23, 24, 34, 37, 65,
87, 126, 128, 140, 148, 188, 189, 190,
222, 242, 245, 254, 262, 264, 265, 267,
269, 278, 279, 282, 286, 287, 288, 321,
327. 336, 339, 345. 352, 376, 377. 388,
396, 415, 432, 474, 490, 494, 504. 507.
512, 518, 519, 521, 522, 523, 524, 526,
529. 531. 533. 539. 540. 542. 543. 544.
547. 548. 549. 551. 554. 555-

Philpot, , 67.

Picts (Indians), 502.

Piddie, Capt. Alexander, 12, 15.

Pitcher, , 170.

Pitt, William, 324, 516, 541, 554.

Plater, Col., 178, 182, 183, 207, 208, 209,
212, 296, 302, 455.

Plummer, , 512.

Plymouth, 22.

Pocomoke (Pocomock), 59, 71, 73, 75,
100, 129, 184, 207, 209, 336, 354, 356,
382.

Poison, Capt., 142, 147, 227.

Pomfret Castle, 340.

Port Royal (Virginia), 170.

Portsmouth (New Hampshire), 323.

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

575

Portugal, 323, 326.

Potomac (Potowmack, Patowmack), i,
2, 5, 6, 7, 14, 18, 19, 23,33, 34. 35. 49.
70, 71, 72, 87, 105, 118, 126, 130, 140,
150, 168, 186, 194, 196, 199, 202, 203,
205, 207, 208, 211, 215, 218, 224, 230,
251, 266, 273, 292, 299, 316, 335, 339,
341. 353. 373. 384. 405. 410, 432, 451,
455. 469. 477, 499. 5i4, 5i9. 538, 561.

Pownall, John, 354, 359.

Pownall, Thomas, 221, 369, 402, 442,
443. 471- 498. 529-

Prague, 495, 541.

Prather, Thomas, Col., 475.

Pratt, Charles, Atty. Genl, 541.

Presqu' Isle, 318.

Prevost (Prevo), Augustine, Maj., 327,
519, 521, 523.

Prince George County, 13, 186, 218,
236, 479, 482, 522, 524.

Princess Ann Town, 8, 12, 31.

Princess of Wales, 514.

Quebec (Quebeck), 98, 154, 298, 319,

320.
Queen Anne County, 15, 50, 54, 60, 135,

180, 184, 188, 213, 539.

Raitt, , 184.

Randolph, Peyton, 73, 95.

Rappahannock River, 19, 573.

Rawlins, Capt., 69, 191.

Ray's Town, 469.

Razer, , 175.

Red Stone Creek, 76.

Rhode Island, no, 332.

Richardson, Capt., 529.

Ridgley, Charles, 461, 473.

Ridout, John, 8, 30, 67, 93, 301, 305, 422,
455. 516, 537. 559. 563-

Ripon, 35.

Riviere aux Boeufs (Beef River), 318,496.

Roberts, William, 479.

Robinson, Sir Thomas, 102, 103, 104,
109, 118, 130, 135, 159, 160, 163, 164,
167, 171, 195, 202, 211, 260, 272, 287,
315. 323. 324. 333. 360, 362, 374.

Rock Creek, 77, 97, 140, 145, 149, 150,
155, 186, 204.

Ross, (Commissary), 465, 474.

Ross (Rosse), Capt., 165, 171, 172, 223,
227. 545. 551. 559-

Ross (Rosse), Rev. , 50, 51, 94,

178, 180, 192.

Royal American Regiment, 467, 477, 480,
481, 483, 489, 494, 495, 497, 499, 500,
504, 505, -506, 510, 513, 515, 519, 521,
523. 524, 529, 533, 535. 536. 537, 542,
543. 547, 549-

Russian troops, 325, 326.
Rutherford, Capt. (Maj.), 127, 128, 152,
166, 315, 443, 456.

St. Clair, Sir John, 157, 158, 168, 170,
171, 172, 174, 186, 188, 196, 201, 202,
215, 229, 249, 250, 251, 253, 256, 260,

268, 278, 282, 283, 285, 287, 288, 311,
315. 394, 396, 397. 487, 494. 496.

St. John's (Newfoundland), 245.

St. John's Church (Queen Anne Co.),
135, 188.

St. Lawrence River, 270, 275, 318, 319.

St. Mary's, 184.

St. Mary's Parish, 9.

St. Mary Ann Parish, 179, 206.

St. Michael's, 187.

St. Omer's, 497.

St. Paul's Parish (Queen Anne Co.), 60.

Salisbury Plain, 140.

Sally (vessel), 539.

Sassafras River, 2, 5, 8, 18, 90.

Savile (tract of land), 13.

Scarroyada (alias Moncatoocha, an
Indian chief), 146, 166, 234, 238, 343,
442.

Schenectady, 280, 289, 318, 333, 437,493-

Schuyler, Peter, Col., 308, 310, 315,402.

Schwerin, Marshal, 541.

Scotland, 17, 187.

Scott, Capt., 482.

Seymour, Col., 48.

Shamokin, 341, 377, 439, 441, 442, 488,
534. 536.

Sharpe, Dr. Gregory, 236.

Sharpe, John, 24, 51, 67, 72, 109, 187,
196, 199, 211, 290, 324, 329, 333, 369,
370. 372. 373. 395, 398, 485, 516.

Sharpe, Joshua, 540.

Sharpe, William, 51, 72, 109, 173,211,
236, 252, 259, 311, 333, 372, 373, 406,
424, 497, 516, 517, 530, 531.

Shawannoes, Shawnees (Indians), 146,
331. 334. 337, 343, 358, 377, 436, 438,
439. 441. 444, 459, 502, 544, 545, 557-

Shawnese Towns, 338, 339, 34T, 390.

Shenandoah (Shanadoe) River, 409, 411.

Shirley, William, Gov., 11, 107, 108, 124,
155, 159, 169, 170, 175, 186, 188, 189,
190, 194, 196, 203, 216, 218, 222, 224,
225, 226, 227, 230, 231, 232, 242, 245,
247, 253, 255, 258, 259, 260, 264, 265,

269, 270, 271, 272, 274, 275, 278, 280,
281, 283, 284, 285, 286, 288, 289, 290,
291, 297, 299, 300, 301, 304, 307, 308,
309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316,
321. 324, 332, 333, 336, 337. 339, 34°,
342, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 350, 358,
374. 376, 377. 379, 383, 385, 386, 388.

576

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

392, 393- 397. 400, 402, 404, 407, 415,
417, 423, 429, 431, 432, 437, 439, 440,
443, 448, 449, 480, 483, 487, 493, 529.

Shirley, William, Jr., 205.

Six Nations, 43, 69, 106, iii, 139, 141,
146, 147, 154, 166, 171, 231, 255, 283,
317, 318, 319, 331, 334. 341. 343. 344.
346, 397, 436, 439, 441, 442, 459. 490.
511-

Skinner, , 8, 238.

Slade, Capt., 254.

Smith, James, 30, 217, 355.

Snooke, , 556.

Somerset County, 69, 133, 178.

South Carolina, 43, 44, 75, 77, 98. no,
115, 168, 197, 298, 321, 322, 459, 471,
533. 535. 537. 547-

South Carolina Company, 287.

South Mountain, 479, 484.

Spencer, Capt., 176, 246, 250.

Spithead, 103, 223, 538.

Spry, Robert, Commodore, 247, 298,

307-

Stalniker, , 444.

Stansbury, Tobias, Capt., 479.
Stanwix, John, Col., 533, 536, 537, 547,

548, 549. 552, 553. 554. 555-

Stephen, , 270.

Sterling, Robert, 8, 67, 378, 380, 555.

Steuart, Capt., 484.

Steuart (Stewart), George, 17, 36, 39, 66,

178, 185, 193, 209, 223, 277, 294, 295,

300, 303. 328, 329. 374. 422, 455. 513.

539. 542.
Steven, Capt., 172, 173.
Stevens (Stephens), Col, 141, 142, 145,

146, 147, 151, 349. 503. 504. 508, 518.

537-

Stevenson, , 54, 59.

Stevil, Capt, 502.

Stewart, William, 17.

Stobo, Robert, 78, 153, 168.

Stoddert, Lieut., 287, 336.

Stone, Nicholas, 204, 226.

Strahan, Capt., 75.

Success (vessel), 298.

Susquehannah Indians, 441, 442.

Susquehannah River, 5, 34, 35, 71, 194.

331. 340, 341. 342, 343. 437. 438, 441.

442, 460, 464, 466, 469, 470, 485, 511,

512, 534. 536.
Sutton, Capt., 233, 238.
Sweringen Ferry, 205.
Syren (vessel), 298.

Talbot County, 55, 79, 540.

Talbot, George, 179, 205.

Talbot Manor, 31, 179, 205, 206, 294.

Tasker, Benjamin, 3,6, 13, 15, 24, 25, 37,

39, 41, 50, 51, 55, 61, 66, 67, 73, 76,
91, 100, loi, 112, 129, 178, 179, 182,
183, 184, 205, 209, 219, 223, 226, 233,
239. 297, 302, 303, 304, 309, 312, 325,
330. 335. 357. 371. 381, 382, 455. 50i,
513. 514. 537-

Tasker, Benjamin, Jr., 75.

Tawaes (Indians), 502.

Taylor's Island, 2, 19, 20.

Teedyuscuny (Indian), 511.

Temikakonick (Indian), 345.

Temple, Earl, 541.

Tench,- , 27.

Thomas, William, 175, 179, 180, 181, 184,
185, 206, 269, 335, 357, 382, 450, 455,
499. 505. 525. 538-

Thomlinson, Trecothick & Co., 448.

Thomson (Thompson), Capt., 143, 523.

Thornton, Dr., 15, 50, 69, 217, 237.

Tiahoga (Diahogo) (place), 438, 446.

Tiffens, Mrs., 301.

Tilghman, Edward, 294, 296, 382, 499,
538.

Tilghman, James, 55, 61, 178, 181, 184,

206, 325, 355, 449, 450.
Tobin, James, 204.
Tomlinson, Capt., 120.

Tonalloway Creek, 262, 279, 287, 336,

368, 469, 477.
Toronto, 318.
Toulon, 326.

Townshend, Admiral, 555.
Trent, Capt., 42, 43, 197.
Tuckahoes (Indians), 502.
Turkey Point, 176.

Turner, , 392.

Twightwee (Twightwers) Indians, 142,

146, 152, 438.

Van Braam (Vanbram), Jacob, 78.

Veazey (Vasey, Vazey, Vezey), 18, 19,
31,63,71,130.

Venango (Vanango, Weningo), 121, 126,
166, 197, 488, 502, 503, 534, 536.

Verte Bay, 247.

Villiers, Commandant, 78, 198, 199.

Virginia, 15, 16, 18, 19, 23, 32, 37, 43, 73,
79, 80, 88, 99, 103, 107, 109, 112, 113,
114, 118, 120, 124, 130, 131, 135, 141,
151, 154, 157, 159, 160, 161, 164, 165,
166, 171, 173, 174, 175, 177. 179. 186,
194, 196, 197, 200, 201, 202, 203, 205,

207, 208, 210, 211, 212,214, 216, 217,
221, 225, 229, 230, 232, 234, 236, 237,
238, 240, 247, 251, 262, 264, 265, 268,
272, 273, 274, 277, 281, 282, 286, 287,
290, 298, 299, 312, 316, 321, 322, 332,
339. 344, 349. 353- 370, 373. 378, 380,
385. 386, 387. 388, 389. 391, 392, 406,

Index to Names of Persons and Places.

577

407, 409-410, 411. 416, 418, 423>

430,

158, 167, 169, 174, 186, 198, 200,

202,

431. 435. 455. 459. 464. 472. 486,

494.

228, 230, 518, 548.

502, 514, 531, 532, 535, 544, 545,

547.

Williamson, Rev. , 237, 332.

560, 563-

Wills' Creek, 33, 39, 76, 77, 96, gJ

.99.

Virginia Companies, 205, 381, 389,

391.

105, 112, 113, 116, 118, 119, 125,

126.

403.405.406,410,411.

136, 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142,

143.

Virginia Rangers, 339, 390.

144. 145. 147. 149. 150, 153. 155.

158,

Vulture (sloop), 298.

164, 167, 168, 169, 170, 173, 186,

189,

194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200,

201,

Waggener, Capt., 147.

203, 204, 205, 207, 208, 211, 212,

215.

Wahachey (Indian), 557, 558, 559,

561,

218, 222, 224, 228, 233, 234, 249,

250,

562.

-274, 316, 318, 334, 335, 338, 364,

365.

Walker, Thomas, 143, 393.

367. 503-

Wappacomo River, 7.

Wilmer (Willmer), Simon, 3, 373.

Ward, Peregrine, 19.

Wilmot, , 277.

Ward, Ensign, 115, 197.

Winchester, 9, 10, 40, 43, 52, 141,

142,

Warraghigagay (Indian), 439.

143, 145, 146, 147, 150, 151, 155,

194.

Warwick town, 5, 18, 19.

198, 205, 207, 208, 234, 391, 433,

444.

Washington, George, 76, 88, 115,

116,

456, 467, 468, 477, 492, 496, 508,

544.

134, 151, 197, 198, 199, 200, 205,

253.

545. 549. 562.

254, 285, 289, 290, 293, 334, 347,

348,

Winslow (Winsloe), Col., 340, 384,

386,

349. 380, 381, 387. 389. 415. 416,

418,

397. 407-

430, 444, 447, 455, 468, 477, 492,

496,

Wogan, John, 127, 136, 178, 185,

186,

501, 502, 508, 536, 537, 542, 543,

548,

294. 329. 542-

549-

Wolstenholme, Daniel, 148, 184,

185.

Watkins' Ferry, 126.

423. 559, 563-

Watkins, Joseph, 461.

Wood Cote (England), 67.

Watkins Point, 21.

Wood Creek, 255, 289, 493.

Wayne, , 293, 301, 302, 486.

Woolford, , 542.

Wearg, Sir Clement, 21, 23.

Worcester County, 3, 95, 178.

Webb, Col., 375, 440, 443, 447, 457

Wraxall, , 443.

Webb, Gen., 416, 456, 493, 533, 536

547.

Wright, Ensign, 277.

554-

Wyoming (Wiomink), 446.

Wentworth, Gov., 323.

Weser (river), 541.

Yaughtanew (Indian), 558, 562, 56;

•

West, , 273.

York, 152, 308.

West Indies, 72, 556.

York, Col., 541.

Westmoreland (Maryland), 336.

York County, 481.

Wethered, Mr., 555.

York, Duke of, 14, 49, 53.

Wheeler. , 516.

York, Sir Philip, 21, 23.

White, Capt., 16.

Yorkshire, 34, 35.

Wightman, George, 32.

Youghyoghgyina (Youghiogeny), 94.

Wighis River, 21.

Young, Mr., 238, 355, 383, 524, 542

Will, Sir John, 21.

Young, Philemon, 7, 36, 39, 42, 5=

,61

William III, 27, 48, 235.

66, 185, 207, 209, 238, 329, 336,

354.

William and Mary Parish, 505, 508,

539-

355. 356, 382, 454. 514. 524. 525.

542

Williamsburg, 104, 113, 121, 123,

125.

543-

135, 139, 140. 143. 148, 152. 154.

157.

YuiU (Ewell?), Capt., 103.

TOPICAL INDEX.

Acadians (neutral French), 343, 345,

445. 47 1-.
Act of Parliament, 506.
Admiralty Court, 523, 524.
Agent in England, 401, 433, 444.
Albany, convention at, 69.
Arms and ordnance, 9, 16, 65, 107, 130,

147, 152, 154, 155, 167, 210, 212, 225,

312, 313. 353. 358. 376, 381, 388, 390,

392, 399. 406, 407, 447.
Arrears of rents, 302.
Assembly, action on Supply Bills, 360-

366.

Baltimore Town, 57, 461, 462, 509, 534.

Bankrupt Act, 44, 46, 82, 131.

Board of Trade, report to, 358-369.

Boundary, northern and eastern, i, 2,
5, 6, 14, 17-24, 31, 34, 49, 53, 58, 62,
70, 86, 87, 89. 130, 132, 325, 516, 542.

Boundary, western, i, 2, 5, 6, 7, 14, 18,
19. 23, 49. 70. 72 (map), 130, 373, 451,
452, 455, 514.

Braddock, Edward, 107, 134, 157, 172,
174, 194, 195, 196, 202, 203, 208, 210,
211, 215, 221, 223, 224, 227-230, 234,

237-
Braddock, Edward, defeat of, 246, 248,

250-269, 273, 367, 397, 438.
British regiments, 107, 156, 159, 165,

189, 196, 202, 281, 282, 287, 308, 310,

316, 370, 374. 392, 397. 415. 465. 470,

516, 525, 529.
Burgesses, character of, 68, 181, 183,

184, 191, 238, 242, 243, 244, 268, 269,

271, 272, 285, 495, 504, 507.

Campaign, instructions for, 316.

plan of, 318, 533, 535, 547.
Capitulation of Washington, 76, 77, 78,
79, 81, 88, III, 115, 116, 117, 134, 168,
,198.
Catholics, 13, 25, 153, 240, 264, 301, 302,
323. 353. 408, 410.
charges against, 501, 512, 518,

521, 540.
double tax on, 419, 429, 496.
number of, 497.
Charity school, 55, 79.
Cherokees, letter from, 544.

contingent from, 549, 551,

552, 553-
interview with, 557.

Clergy, charges against, 13, 30, 38, 61,
69.
address of, 7.
regulating the, 129.
Colonial Commissioners, convention of,

281, 282.
Colonies, backwardness of, 99, 109, 1 10,
126, 135, 159, 161, 163, 224,
229, 347. 351. 477, 482, 488,
491, 528, 539.
union of, 79, 128, 160.
Commissaries (military), 137, 143, 149,

230, 474, 513.
Commissions to foreign officers, 327, 359,
370, 375. 398, 406.
to Sharpe, 73, 102, 350,
385, 398, 402, 407, 429,
432, 516.
Convicts, importation of, 295, 300, 328,

330, 422, 539.
Council at Alexandria (Belhaven), 195,

203, 217.
Council of war, proceedings, 315, 333.
Councillors, salaries of, 86.
Counterfeiting, 65.
Crown Point. See Niagara.
Currency, 45, 65, 85, 131, 138, 162, 165.
177, 300, 360.

Death-song of Indian prisoners, 558.
Debts, collection of, 82.
Defences of Maryland, 353.
Deserters, 437, 504, 518, 521, 524.
Disputes in the service, 106, 119, 174,

229.
Duel between officers, 340.
Dunbar's retreat, 388, 395, 396, 397.
Dutch and Swedish records, 14, 49, 53,

58, 86, 129.

Earthquake at Lisbon, 323, 326.
Election, general, 112, 113.
Electioneering, 68.
Embargo, 169, 170, 458, 474, 480, 500,

506, 529, 533, 545, 546.
Enlistment of servants, 204, 211, 213,

218, 224, 342, 347, 374, 378, 380, 381.

Ferries, 64, 236.

Ferrol, Kennedy, charges against, 220.

Fleet, British, 298.

Foreign troops for America, 4, 327, 415.

Fort Cumberland, 77, 96, 97,98, 105, 118,

Topical Index.

579

136, 143, 164, 165, 167, 201, 215, 223,
224, 225, 228, 230, 232, 233, 234, 237,
245. 25i> 254, 257, 259, 261, 262, 265,
266, 267, 268, 271, 284, 290, 305, 334,
336, 338. 348, 349. 353. 390. 396, 397.

403, 410, 414, 416, 431, 432, 436, 456,
477. 521. 536. 537. 542, 543. 549. 55^
553. 554: 555-

Fort Dinvviddie, 492, 496.

Fort Du Quesne, 97, 105, 109, iii, 112,
114, 115, 117, 118, 126, 141, 146, 151,
166, 168, 173, 203, 210, 215, 220, 221,
224, 228, 230, 233, 246, 256, 258, 260,
264, 272, 299, 316, 334, 337, 338, 348,
388, 389, 390, 396, 403, 408, 412, 440,
444. 477. 502, 521, 553.

Fort (English) on Ohio, 33, 40, 42, 43,
52, 56, 62, 76, 79, 115, 197.

Fort Frederick, 404, 423, 424, 464, 466,
469, 482, 483, 485, 499, 515, 524, 537,

551-

Fort Granville, loss of, 462, 464, 466, 468,
470,485, 515.

Fort on Lake George, 481.

Fort near Cacapetion, 410.

Fort at Oswego, 225, 289, 344, 437, 438.
fall of, 462, 475, 480, 486.

Fort at Red Stone Creek, 76.

Fort at Shamokin, 439, 441, 442.

Fort on Wills Creek. See Fort Cum-
berland.

French, movements of, 10, 33, 42, 43, 62,
94, 97, 106, III, 112, 114, 118, 122,
123, 124, 135, 141, 146, 159, 164, 166,
171, 213, 214, 218, 222, 308, 310, 313,
410, 474. 534. 537-

French, operations against, 39, 40, 43,
52, 56, 62, 73, 76, 80, 95, 96, 97, 98,
105, 108, 109, 113, 117, 118, 125, 147,
151, 160, 163, 165, 167, 170, 194, 200,
202, 203, 207, 208, 211, 215, 218, 227,
283, 286, 299, 306, 308, 309, 310, 311,
316-320, 332, 340, 341, 350, 384, 389,
393. 402, 440. 441. 447. 468, 493. 531.
532, 533-

French pretensions, 94, 114.

French prisoners, 75, 142, 147.

Frontiers, protection of 97, 112, 113, 174,
218, 225, 235, 241, 242, 246, 251, 265,
266, 273, 277, 279, 287, 297, 299, 313,
339. 340. 341. 368, 390. 391. 395. 403.

404, 405, 407, 409, 414, 416, 432, 435,
452, 455. 462, 467, 469, 471, 473, 474,
477- 485. 488, 490, 498, 499, 520, 527,
536.

Germans of Pennsylvania, 484.
German Protestants, 52.
German and Swiss officers, 327, 359, 370,
375. 398, 406, 415.

Governor's house, 12, 56, 61, 130.

salary, 400, 433, 517.
Gunpowder for Maryland, 525, 539.

Homicide, 387.

Indian lands, 91, 132, 133, 177.

Indian town destroyed, 490, 496.

Indians, friendly (see also Six Nations),
9, 10, 16, 40, 43, 79, 126, 127, 128, 141,
142, 145, 146, 153, 166, 305, 321, 334,
337. 338. 341. 343. 345. 358, 376. 406,
410, 415, 435, 436, 437, 438, 444, 495,
511, 521, 551, 557.

Indians, hostile, 3, 11, 33, 105, iii, 112,
113, 123, 141, 164, 210, 214, 216, 222,
225, 233, 273, 285, 297, 331, 334, 337,
341. 390, 391. 403. 406, 408, 411, 444,
502.

Indians, murders by, 232, 234, 238, 239,
241, 242, 247, 277, 290, 292, 299, 307,
308, 309, 310, 315, 391, 403, 410, 446,
453. 455.457.467. 471.479-

Indians, treaties with, 9, 10, 16, 153, 154,
321, 338, 347, 395, 441, 444, 459, 512,
557-

Inhabitants, number of, 353.

Inspectionlaw, 65, 85, 176, 183, 189, 193.

Instructions from Privy Council, 3, 107.

Judges, 58.

Jumonville, death of, 115, 198.

Kittsmiller, murder by, 13, 53, 59, 129.

Lake George, fort on, 310, 312, 314, 481,

504-
Land Office, 182, 193.
Land in Pennsylvania, value, 37.
Letters of marque, 478, 484,
Light-house, 477, 495, 509.
Lisbon, earthquake at, 323, 326.
Livings, vacant, 3, 9, 15, 50, 54, 60, 188.
Loudoun's appointment, 374, 401.

Manors, 52, 57,71,91, loi, 128, 134, 161,

163, 178, 179, 205, 294, 295.
Manors and reserved lands, ta.x on, 309,
310. 383. 384. 399. 409. 419. 420, 424,
425, 426, 428.
Map, Cresap's, 70, 72, 91, 130.

Dutch, 23.

Emory's, 5, 63, 70, 90.

fraudulent, 18, 20, 50.

Lord Baltimore's of 1635, 23.

Mitchell's, 282, 287, 304.

Smith's, 23.

Wilmer's, 3.

of Prince George's Co., 522, 524,
Maryland Gazette, 44.
Merchants, complaints of 82, 92, 131.

58o

Topical Index.

'Military discipline, 135, 215.

Militia law, 219, 222, 224, 257, 258, 272,

307, 308, 310, 444, 491, 499, 549, 550,

554:
Militia, number of, 353.
Ministry, British, 541.
Moravian settlements, 307.

Naval Office, 183, 209, 296.
Negroes, 6, 8, 31, 136.

number of, 353.
New England Governors, meeting of,

518.
New York, fortifications of, 216.
Niagara and Crown Point, 226, 231, 255,

258, 263, 269, 283, 286, 314, 317, 319,

323. 332, 337. 339. 386, 397. 407. 504.

507, 515-
Ontario. See Vessels.
Ordinary licenses, 89, 128, 189, 190, 199,

202, 233, 235, 264, 295, 300, 361, 362,

368, 425.
Oswego, tort at, 289, 308, 309, 310, 312,

313, 314, 317, 319, 344, 402, 407, 489,

493. 515-
Pamphlet about Pennsylvania, 187.
Paraguay, rumor about, 327.
Partridges, 384, 522.
Penal laws, 240.
Pennsylvanian ambassadors to England,

528.
Pennsylvania line. See Boundary,

northern.
Philadelphia, barracks at, 504, 507.

conference at, 518, 519, 524.
Pilots, 92, 408, 409.
Poll tax, 99, 203, 418.
Potash, manufacture of, 270, 518.
Potomac, exploration of, 186.
Prague, battle of, 541.
Prisoner, examination of, 501, 510, 512.
Privateers, 555.

Proprietary's lands. See Manors.
Provisions, export of, 530.

Quarters for soldiers, 509, 521, 522, 523.
Quit rents, 8, 13, 30, 37, 54, 58, 63, 65,
93. 129, 161, 179, 299.

Rank of officers, 174, 229, 334, 347, 348,
349. 380.
rules for, 412, 413.
Recruiting, 479, 480, 483, 488, 497, 499,
500, 513. 524.526, 555-
resisted, 461, 462, 467, 472,

473-
Rent rolls, 41, 371, 449, 453, 463, 465,

499. 505. 514.. 522, 538-
Rum, consumption of, 164.

Salt, importation of, 135.

Scalps, bounty for, 435, 445, 558.

Sermon before Assembly, 13.

Servants, duty on, 422.

enlisting, 461, 462, 467, 472,
473. 483. 486, 497. 500.

Ships of war, 525, 526.

Shirley, Gov., replaces Braddock, 271.

Silver and gold coin, foreign, 85, 131,
177, 226.

Six Nations, 9, 10, 43, 68, 69, 79, 81,
106, III, 139, 141, 142, 146, 147, 154,
160, 166, 231, 317, 318, 319, 331, 334,
342. 344. 346, 397. 436. 437. 439. 44i.

Smallpox at Annapolis, 519, 520, 522,
523. 534-

Soldiers' pay, 77.

Southern Governors, conference of, 518,
528.

Spies, 501, 507, 518.

Stamp duty, 99.

Supplies for expedition, 108, 138, 140,
142, 143, 144, 147, 148, 149, 155, 172,
188, 201, 210, 227, 230, 245.

Supply Bills, 39, 42, 56, 68, 69, 80, 81,
82, 88, 95, 98, 99, 104, 108, no, 115,
121, 127, 148, 149, 158, 160, 161, 162,
165, 170, 172, 174, 180, 189, 190, 195,
199, 202, 216, 218, 221, 232, 235, 242,
285, 336, 346, 351. 360-366, 381, 383,
384, 389, 394, 403, 404, 414, 415, 424,
425. 430. 435. 442, 444. 445. 456, 477,
481, 489, 491, 494, 495, 505, 543.

Support of Government, 24, 40, 46, 47,
48, 130.

Surplus lands, 37, 88, 92, 129, 132, 192,

295-
Surveying, 13, 88, 92, 129.

Talbot, G., murder by, 179, 205.
Tobacco culture, 38.

duty, 421, 483, 505, 517.
Toleration act, 240.
Tonnage duty, 421, 433.
Treasurer's office, 296.

Union of Colonies, 79, 108, 128, 160.

Vessels on Lake Ontario, 312, 313, 316,

320, 333. 336. 475. 483-
Vice- Admiral, 516.

Wampum, belt of, 79, 559.
Washington's surrender. See Capitu-
lation.
Winchester, 433, 456, 477.
Workhouses, 66, 134.

THE -B&f BOUND TO PLEASE